King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2015
Chapters: Zechariah 1-7 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-270.html
Message Title: An End To The Affliction
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Zechariah is the thirty-eighth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains fourteen chapters. The author of the book is Zechariah and it was written to the new generation of Jews who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. The timeline for these events took place around 520BC. The purpose of the book was to renew a spiritual commitment with God, and to warn them of the coming second judgment when Christ returns. What we are to learn from the book is that God is in control of the affairs of all, His infinite love and care are in all who receive Christ, known as the BRANCH. “And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” - Zechariah 2:11.
No one likes to face judgment, and no matter who we are, we all suffer from something as the result of someone else who did not want to obey some law. Judgment, while unpleasant does have a purpose and does not last forever. Zechariah was a prophet while in Babylon, as their seventy year sentence to remain captives was over the time had come for the Jews to head back to Jerusalem. Through Zechariah, God addresses the new generation of Jews, stressing the importance of not walking in the ways of their fathers. “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.” - Zechariah 1:3-6.
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? Since people do not last forever, we as faithful Christians have the task of being the godly example that God needs for future generations. Does God need us to? No. Does God want us to? Yes. Everything fades and will come to an end, but God's Word never will, it is settled in heaven, and never changes. People can try to rewrite His Word, they can ignore as much as they want, but it remains the same and it is in our best interest to learn of and do what it says. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:14,15.
God may use the world to judge His people, He does this for two reasons, to get us to straighten up and to get those in the world to turn to Him. Once the judgment comes to an end, we will be set free, but He next comes the judgment of the world. When we are set free from our sins through Christ, we are set free from the guilt, shame, and even the bondage that held us down. Why would we remain in bondage to sin when we are set free? God tells the Jews to leave Babylon and head back to Jerusalem, but He also gives a glimpse of hope for all. “Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD. Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” - Zechariah 2:6-11.
For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. No know touches us without the knowledge of God, not even the devil himself. When He allows things to happen He will always bring us through them and His blessings will abound. Through Zechariah and a godly priest named Joshua, God shows us what He does to those who trust Him in the midst of their worse afflictions.
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.” - Zechariah 3:1-4,7,8.
I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, iniquity means injustice, God will bring all injustice to an end. Before we know the BRANCH, Jesus Christ, as our Saviour, we are filthy rags, but when we receive Him our garments are changed, we are clean and set free from our sins. The devil will afflict us, but God will protect us, even in the midst of our worst storms. We can never understand the affliction we face, especially when it's something unexpected, but we can understand that God will carry us through. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” - Romans 8:28-30.
He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. God did not predestine us to face the trials we face, He did predestine us to be made in the image of His Son. That means, He uses all things, good, bad, and ugly to conform us to the likeness of His Son, and He will use any situation to bring good out of it. We can endure all things, we are justified, set free, more than conquerors through Christ. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” - 1 Peter 1:7.
That the trial of your faith, often we come to the end of our resources and lose confidence in our own abilities before we learn to trust God. No matter how uncertain things look, God is always there. Through Zechariah, God assures the Jews that as long as they get close to the BRANCH, He will be there for them. He instructs crowns to be made for Joshua.“Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.” - Zechariah 6:11-15.
And he shall build the temple of the LORD, this will be no ordinary temple, this is the temple in which Christ will reign and all of His people will come to worship Him in. This temple is not made up of walls, it is made up of believers, it is the real Church of Christ. Every person who receives Christ is not exempt from affliction no matter how close we are to Him, but with every single trial comes a crown, in fact, we will receive many crowns. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James1:12.
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for making me a part of Your family, not by works or even obedience to Your commands am I saved from judgment, but solely by my faith and trust in the finished work that Your Son am I saved. Lord, You know the intentions of our hearts, as You allow circumstances and affliction to examine our hearts, lead us and guide us and keep us in Your Word so we cannot be only hears of Your Word, but doers also. Remind us that we are not doing this for our salvation, but simply to honor You and thank You for all that You have done for us because we first turned to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe To Our Devotions: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2015
Chapters: Zechariah 1-7 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-270.html
Message Title: An End To The Affliction
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Zechariah is the thirty-eighth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains fourteen chapters. The author of the book is Zechariah and it was written to the new generation of Jews who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. The timeline for these events took place around 520BC. The purpose of the book was to renew a spiritual commitment with God, and to warn them of the coming second judgment when Christ returns. What we are to learn from the book is that God is in control of the affairs of all, His infinite love and care are in all who receive Christ, known as the BRANCH. “And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” - Zechariah 2:11.
No one likes to face judgment, and no matter who we are, we all suffer from something as the result of someone else who did not want to obey some law. Judgment, while unpleasant does have a purpose and does not last forever. Zechariah was a prophet while in Babylon, as their seventy year sentence to remain captives was over the time had come for the Jews to head back to Jerusalem. Through Zechariah, God addresses the new generation of Jews, stressing the importance of not walking in the ways of their fathers. “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.” - Zechariah 1:3-6.
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? Since people do not last forever, we as faithful Christians have the task of being the godly example that God needs for future generations. Does God need us to? No. Does God want us to? Yes. Everything fades and will come to an end, but God's Word never will, it is settled in heaven, and never changes. People can try to rewrite His Word, they can ignore as much as they want, but it remains the same and it is in our best interest to learn of and do what it says. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:14,15.
God may use the world to judge His people, He does this for two reasons, to get us to straighten up and to get those in the world to turn to Him. Once the judgment comes to an end, we will be set free, but He next comes the judgment of the world. When we are set free from our sins through Christ, we are set free from the guilt, shame, and even the bondage that held us down. Why would we remain in bondage to sin when we are set free? God tells the Jews to leave Babylon and head back to Jerusalem, but He also gives a glimpse of hope for all. “Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD. Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” - Zechariah 2:6-11.
For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. No know touches us without the knowledge of God, not even the devil himself. When He allows things to happen He will always bring us through them and His blessings will abound. Through Zechariah and a godly priest named Joshua, God shows us what He does to those who trust Him in the midst of their worse afflictions.
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.” - Zechariah 3:1-4,7,8.
I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, iniquity means injustice, God will bring all injustice to an end. Before we know the BRANCH, Jesus Christ, as our Saviour, we are filthy rags, but when we receive Him our garments are changed, we are clean and set free from our sins. The devil will afflict us, but God will protect us, even in the midst of our worst storms. We can never understand the affliction we face, especially when it's something unexpected, but we can understand that God will carry us through. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” - Romans 8:28-30.
He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. God did not predestine us to face the trials we face, He did predestine us to be made in the image of His Son. That means, He uses all things, good, bad, and ugly to conform us to the likeness of His Son, and He will use any situation to bring good out of it. We can endure all things, we are justified, set free, more than conquerors through Christ. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” - 1 Peter 1:7.
That the trial of your faith, often we come to the end of our resources and lose confidence in our own abilities before we learn to trust God. No matter how uncertain things look, God is always there. Through Zechariah, God assures the Jews that as long as they get close to the BRANCH, He will be there for them. He instructs crowns to be made for Joshua.“Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.” - Zechariah 6:11-15.
And he shall build the temple of the LORD, this will be no ordinary temple, this is the temple in which Christ will reign and all of His people will come to worship Him in. This temple is not made up of walls, it is made up of believers, it is the real Church of Christ. Every person who receives Christ is not exempt from affliction no matter how close we are to Him, but with every single trial comes a crown, in fact, we will receive many crowns. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James1:12.
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for making me a part of Your family, not by works or even obedience to Your commands am I saved from judgment, but solely by my faith and trust in the finished work that Your Son am I saved. Lord, You know the intentions of our hearts, as You allow circumstances and affliction to examine our hearts, lead us and guide us and keep us in Your Word so we cannot be only hears of Your Word, but doers also. Remind us that we are not doing this for our salvation, but simply to honor You and thank You for all that You have done for us because we first turned to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe To Our Devotions: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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