Zechariah 14 “He Fights For Us”

Behold, a day is coming from the Lord when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.” (vv.1-3)

The first verse of this prophetic word from Zechariah indicates that Jerusalem will lose many things of great value (spoil), but later they will be returned and divided among them. This speaks to the yet future battle of Armageddon in which nations will fight against Jerusalem, and at first will be winning. But then the Lord will arrive, to fight, conquer, and make the city safe forever (vv.2–5,10–11). He’ll stand on the Mount of Olives, which is one reason why some scholars think Christ will return to this specific place. 

This illustrates how God may, as a last resort, allow great trouble into our lives as well, in order to get our attention and get our eyes back on Him. Then, just as we have seen here, the LORD arrives to fight, conquer, and make our lives safe and secure once again. He tests us to allow faith to replace doubt, along with hope and love to replace defeat and anger. And if we fail the test, He will continue the testing until we get it right. Why? Because He loves us and does not wish us to be out of His love and will for our lives.

Yes, sometimes life just doesn't seem fair. But when your feeling defeated, look up and know that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will never give you more than you can bare and will always provide a means of escape - He fights for you because He loves you! Will you not love Him? 

The Truth: “One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.” (Joshua 23:10)

Zechariah 13 “A Fountain Shall Be Opened”

 “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” (v.1)

Zechariah 12 ended with Israel’s return to the LORD through the once rejected but now embraced Messiah. Flowing from their embrace of the Messiah they would then enjoy a fountain of cleansing for sin and for uncleanness (v.1). The cleansing comes after their mourning for the One whom they have pierced. 

The idea of God being a fountain to His people is found frequently in the Old Testament, but Zechariah’s writing is possibly the richest of all. Concerning this idea Spurgeon remarks, “According to the passage before us this provision is inexhaustible. There is a fountain opened; not a cistern nor a reservoir, but a fountain. A fountain continues still to bubble up, and is as full after fifty years as at the first; and even so the provision and the mercy of God for the forgiveness and the justification of our souls continually flows and overflows.”

So, there is this never-ending reservoir of cleansing power available to us through God’s fountain. It is His supply, and one must come to Him and ask to be cleansed, for nothing else can cleanse. Our own works at reform or restitution can’t cleanse us; our past, present, or promised future works can’t either – only His fountain can. And, as the following old hymn explains;

There is a fountain filled with blood,


Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;


And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,

Lose all their guilty stains.


(William Cowper)

If you would like to have your sin cleansed by His fountain just pray the prayer (Connect With God) to the right hand side of this page. God Bless.

The Truth: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

Zechariah 12 “A Heavy Stone”

Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” (vv.1-3)

Here in our text the nation of Israel is pictured as the cup of God’s wrath, which will send the other nations around her reeling (v.2). Just as drunken men are overcome by alcohol, so the wicked will be overcome by divine judgment. Israel will also be an “immovable rock,” strong and secure (vv.3–5). God’s people will be a fire in dry grass, defeating their enemies as quickly as such a fire spreads (v.6).

In yesterday’s prophecy Israel was condemned for following the foolish shepherd, but now the nation is redeemed when the Good Shepherd returns. “On that day” the Lord will save, shield, fight, win, and pour out His Spirit. “On that day,” God plus the weakest person will be a mighty warrior. 

And, by God’s grace, Israel will receive spiritual deliverance as well. They will “look upon” the Crucified One and grieve, responding in faith (v.10). Then, with their eyes opened to the truth, they will repent with sincere and godly sorrow finally seeing their Messiah, their immovable rock who stands for them.

Woe to the enemies of Israel, and those who support them (including the US). For if you stand against Israel you stand against God, and on "the day" of His return, be ground into powder.

The Truth: “And whoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:44)

Zechariah 11 “The Foolish Shepherd”

And the LORD said to me, “Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand: but he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye; his arm shall completely wither, and his right eye shall be totally blinded.” (vv.15-17)

Here the prophet Zechariah play-acted as a foolish shepherd, one who did not care for the sheep in the way that a shepherd should. Through his actions he warns God’s people that, if they reject the Good Shepherd another shepherd will be raised up, the worthless shepherd (v.17), one who won’t care for the flock (God’s people), the antichrist.

This foolish shepherd was allowed and appointed by God as judgment because His people forsook the true shepherd. This was fulfilled in Israel’s rejection of Jesus. They rejected the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18), but received another shepherd (John 5:43).

We often assume in our society today that all we need is the right leader. Well, here we see that even the ultimate leader may be rejected and a worthless leader chosen. The foolish shepherd embraced by Israel was partially fulfilled in their choice of Barabbas (Matthew 27:20-22), but will be ultimately fulfilled in their embrace of Antichrist, and their covenant with him (Daniel 9:27). 

Out text speaks of a sword that shall be, "against his arm and against his right eye." Meaning the worthless shepherd will feel the sword of God's judgment against his strength (arm) and his intelligence (right eye), so this will be a harsh blow to his head. In the Book of Revelation we are told that the Antichrist will suffer a severe head wound yet survive (Rev.13:3, 13:12-14), confirming that the worthless shepherd will ultimately be fulfilled in the Antichrist. Then, at his healing, the whole world will be filled with wonder and follow the beast, worshiping the beast saying, "Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it? 

The Lamb of God! “Woe to the worthless shepherd! A sword shall be against him.” But, an even greater Wow is reserved for those who follow him, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured out full strength into the cup of His wrath." (Revelation 14:9-10).

Better to receive the "Good Shepherd," than the foolish one.

The Truth: “I am come in My Fathers name, and you received Me not; yet another shall come in his own name, and him you will receive.” (John 5:43)

Zechariah 10:4 "The Corner Stone"

“My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the goatherds. For the LORD of hosts will visit His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as His royal horse in the battle. From him comes the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. They shall be like mighty men, who tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be put to shame.” (vv.3-5)

Here in chapter 10 through the prophet Zechariah, God makes His displeasure known concerning His people listening to “Diviners,” those who consulted spirits of idols to predict the future. He warns His people that there is no real help from either idols or their representatives, “they comfort in vain” (v.2). Because of this they are in trouble, and with no true shepherd they will simply follow the lies.

However in our text, God makes a promise to His people through Zechariah to, “visit His flock,” and “make them as His royal horse in the battle.” Meaning, God would transform His people from a flock of sheep to a herd of war horses, ready for battle. All of them shall be like mighty men and defeat their enemies. 

Because God was displeased with Israel’s shepherds, He also promises here to raise up the perfect shepherd from Judah and for Judah; the cornerstone (the foundation), the tent peg (the one holding all things together), the battle bow (a strong fighter for good), the leader over every ruler of His people, Jesus.   

The Truth: Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.” (Isaiah 28:16)

Zechariah 9 "The Coming King"

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)

Here the prophet Zechariah describes the 1st coming of Jesus over 500 years before it occurred. He correctly refers to Him as, "having salvation." Therefore, when Jesus did enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, as prophesied, the people cried, "Hosanna!" or, literally, "Save now!" (Matthew 21:9). They were hoping Jesus had come to save them from the Roman government and establish His kingdom on earth now.

Luke's gospel tells us as Jesus drew near to the city "He wept," because the people did not know the scriptures well enough to understand the reason for His first coming (v.41-44). While those who did (scribes, chief priests Pharisees), sought to kill Him out of fear and jealousy.

Later, during the week of passover after Pilate had publicly stated he could find no fault in Jesus, no crime worthy of death he asked the crowed, "What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" The chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should destroy Jesus (Matthew 27:22), so they cried out, "Let Him be crucified!" Some of these voices were more than likely the same ones crying "Hosanna" earlier. How quickly the people were swayed to follow false leadership.

Note: His first coming was to die for the sins of the world, to be the perfect sacrifice for you and for me.  His second coming will be much different.

The Truth: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

Zechariah 8 “His Promise Fulfilled”

“And I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the middle of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” (v.8)

The promise of a transformed, prosperous, safe Jerusalem seemed a little too fantastic to believe when the city was half-built and the walls wouldn’t be completed for another 60 years. Just because it seemed too big in the eyes of man, it was not too marvelous for the LORD (v.6) Yet, few among the exiles returned to the Promised Land.

However, God promised a gathering from an exile to come that would far surpass the present gathering, “I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west” (v.7). The gathering God promised would not just be a geographic gathering, but also a spiritual gathering. It won’t just be that their address changed, but it would be their hearts also, as we see in our text (v.8).

God being faithful to His everlasting covenant brought the Jewish people back into the land, who reconstructed the temple and returned to their worship. The foundation of this Second Temple was laid in 535 BC and finally finished (after delays) on March 12, 515 BC, His promise fulfilled. 

The Truth: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

 

Zechariah 7 “Practice Kindness”

"Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, Thus has the Lord of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another." (vv.8-10)

Earlier in chapter 7:7, Zechariah rebuked the people of God and their ancestors for a basic neglect of obedience. Now here in our text Zechariah described the kind of obedience God wanted, beginning with decent and loving treatment of one’s neighbor. Some among the people of God found it easy to ignore a brother or sister in need instead of truly treating others in a godly way. Their bad relationship with others demonstrated a fundamentally bad relationship with the LORD.

Our religious acts, our treatment of others, and our words about them—all of this is important—but our hearts, our motives, and our intentions, must be right before a holy and loving God. That we are to help those in need is seen throughout the Bible - use what you have and to help others. As the Lord leads you practice kindness to those in need, for in doing so you reflect the heart of God.

The Truth: "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: "to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world". (James 1:27)

Zechariah 6 “The Branch”

“Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. “Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. “Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.” (vv.11-13a)

Those who are familiar with the legends of King Arthur know that King Arthur’s quest was to unite England, and establish a just and righteous kingdom. His Knights of the Round Table lived by the code of chivalry that obligated them to defend the weak, to show mercy to their enemies, and to use their strength in the cause of goodness. But for all his noble efforts to achieve this, he ultimately failed in his quest.

However, the Bible speaks of a just and righteous kingdom that will never fail. One day God will send His perfect King (Jesus) whose kingdom will be just that, perfect! And in Him the offices of king and priest would be united. The symbolic action narrated here (the crowing of Joshua) speaks of that future man whose name is “The Branch.” 

While these verses actually do relate to the current high priest named Joshua, and that the Temple would be completed during his term of office, this prophetic word not only authenticates the restoration of the office of the High Priest (represented by the man named Joshua) but it also looks ahead to the Messiah, the Man Christ Jesus – “The Branch” (Isaiah 11:1) - who would build the true Temple that exists elsewhere. (Rev. 11:19)

In the words of the prophet Haggai, “the desired of all nations will come” (2:7). He will “build the temple of the Lord,” that is, establish worship of the one true God throughout the earth (Zech. 6:13). “Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord” (promised by God), meaning that Gentiles will also be involved in these events (v.15; Isa. 60:3–10)

The Truth: “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. “ (Jeremiah 23 5-6)

Zechariah 5 “The Flying Scroll”

Then I lifted up my eyes again and looked, and behold, there was a flying scroll. And he (the angel) said to me, “What do you see?” And I answered, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.” Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.” (vv.1-3)

Here God gives Zechariah a vision of “A Flying Scroll.” The scroll speaks of the Word of God and represents the Ten Commandments. The “Curse” of this scroll is that God will judge according to the Law. In our reading, two specific sins are condemned: stealing (a violation of the eighth commandment) and swearing falsely or perjury (a violation of the third commandment). Since the people were no doubt guilty of more than this, these two were probably chosen in that they represent the breaking of; 1) man’s relationship to God — “every one that swears,” and 2) man’s relationship to his fellow man — “for every one that steals.” 

As it says in last verse of our text, sin will be purged away. Why? Because sin cannot be tolerated in God’s presence. When He comes to dwell with His people, as He had promised in earlier visions, evil won’t be allowed to remain in the land. Sinners will be banished from His presence--the equivalent of spiritual death. Just as when the scroll entered the sinner’s house and consumed it (v.4), so too is the destiny of the sinner who denies the LORD.

Although we are forgiven through Christ upon confession of sin, and God does separate us from our sin as far as the east is from the west, He will consume the sinner who's heart is unrepentant towards Him. 

The Truth: “The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.” (Psalm 145:20)

Zechariah 4 “Vision of the Olive Trees and Lampstand”

Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” (vv.1-3)

Here God gave Zechariah a vision of the golden lampstand that was meant to stand in the temple. Since Zechariah and his people were there to rebuild the temple, it made sense that God spoke to them in images related to the temple. In addition to the lampstand, Zechariah saw something that was never in the temple – two olive trees that supplied the seven lamps with oil through seven pipes. We see in our text that Zechariah didn’t understand what it meant. So the angel made sure that Zechariah knew the meaning of what he saw. 

First of all as we see in verse 6-7, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel.” Zerubbabel was the civic leader of Jerusalem, and had the responsibility to finish the work of rebuilding the temple. The work had stalled, and Zerubbabel needed encouragement to carry on the work. God’s Word to Zerubbabel was, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” In other words, rely on Me not on yourself. God wanted Zerubbabel to know that the Holy Spirit would continually supply his needs, just as the oil trees in the vision continually supplied oil to the lamps on the lampstand. 

Although Zechariah understood the message of encouragement to Zerubbabel, he didn’t exactly understand how it connected to the vision asking, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?” The answer given by the Angel to him was, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth” (vv.11-14).

This is a very interesting exchange. In Zechariah’s day, the two anointed ones were Zerubbabel and Joshua. But is this a reference to the past, the present, or the future? I tend to believe it points to the future where God promises to raise up two witnesses, anointed ones, to preach the gospel to the world immediately before Jesus’ return (Revelation 11:3-13). And, that he LORD would empower them with His Spirit to prophecy 1,260 days.   

While Malachi tells us that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses, it is possible that Zerubbabel himself could be the other (according to the prophecies of Haggai). Also Zechariah 4:23 states, "In that day says the Lord of hosts, I will take you O Zerubbabel, My servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and I will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you, says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah is speaking of the last days here, and the overthrow of the kingdoms of the world." Of-course this is purely speculation on my part but nevertheless a possibility. 

God has always said of truth (in His Word), that it needs to be established by two or more witnesses. Who the second witness is at this point is irrelevant, but "there will be another" besides Elijah for He tells us as much in His Word.

The Truth: “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.” (Revelation 11:3-4)

Zechariah 3 “Plucked From The Fire”

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.” (vv.1-3)

In this vision Zechariah saw Joshua the High Priest standing in the presence of the LORD and he was clothed with filthy garments. And Satan was standing at his right hand to oppose him. This is just like Satan, for his name literally means adversary or opponent. He stands against us in spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-18) and makes us feel unworthy to come before the LORD. But our LORD tells us, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they can become white as snow."

We then see the phrase, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan.” Even though God does allow Satan to attack and harass His people, He always strictly regulates what Satan is allowed to do. You may remember that Satan wanted to destroy Simon Peter, sifting him like wheat (Luke 22:31-32), but Jesus prayed for Peter and stood beside him and did not allow Satan to carry out every evil intention of his heart. 

Jude 1:9 tells us that Michael the archangel used this same phrase, “The LORD rebuke you,” in battling against Satan. The example here of the Angel of the LORD and of Michael shows us a model for spiritual warfare – that we always should battle with the LORD’s authority. In His authority we fight from a place of victory, more than fighting for victory.

Again in our text we see this phrase used, but this time the LORD includes His Holy place, Jerusalem; “The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you.” With this phrase, God reinforced the important standing of Jerusalem in His eyes. As mentioned in Zechariah 2:12, it is His Holy Land.

Finally the LORD says to Satan, “Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” A brand is a burnt, burning, or smoldering piece of wood. Think of a campfire with a blackened, charred chunk of wood smoking in the ashes. It isn’t worth much at all and will be consumed completely if it isn’t plucked from the fire. 

So it is with the child of God. He plucks us from the burning fire before we are totally consumed so that we may have life eternal in Him. 

The Truth: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of Your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered (plucked), every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1)

Zechariah 2 "I Will Be With You"

“I, declares the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.” (v.5)

Jerusalem was to be rebuilt; but it would soon outgrow the narrow boundaries of the walls which Nehemiah and Ezra had reared with so much care. The multitude of men and cattle would pour over the ramparts as villages spread themselves out over the open country. What then: would there be no wall to arrest the foe and preserve the inhabitants from attack? Yes; there would be one, because the presence of God would be as a wall of fire round about. 

He will be their (Jerusalem) defense. He will be their glory, their strength, their shield. Walls are not needed (v.4) only faith. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) And this would not be all, because He would be the glory in the midst of them as well (Isaiah 4:5)

Therefore, have faith you saints of the LORD through all circumstances, for He will be a wall of fire around you, your glory, and the lifter of your head. 

God bless.

The Truth: "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." (Psalm 48:3,12)

Zechariah 1 "Return To Me"

The word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah. (v.1)

Now looking at the book of Zechariah, we’ve moved forward about 100 years in time. Since Zephaniah’s day, Judah had been conquered and exiled to Babylon. Later, the Jews had been given permission to return to their homeland; a relatively small group had done so in 538 b.c. under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest.

Zechariah’s family had been among the first to return. The prophet began his ministry in 520 b.c., during the reign of King Darius of Persia, proclaiming the word of the Lord to these repatriated Jews, a community numbering about 50,000 people. It’s known that Zechariah was a priest, and tradition says he was also a member of the “Great Synagogue,” a ruling council of the day. His name means “the Lord remembers,” evoking God’s covenant faithfulness (Ps. 86:15).

Zechariah’s immediate purpose was to rebuke, encourage, and motivate the people to rebuild the Temple, which had been destroyed during the conquest. His book is highly literary in nature, and conveys a strong Messianic theology. In fact, Zechariah has more to say about the Messiah than any other book except Isaiah, and the New Testament cites or alludes to the book of Zechariah over 40 times. Some of his prophecies have already been fulfilled in or near the first coming of Christ, while others await the end times. 

Here now is the first word to Zechariah from the LORD to the people of Israel. ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.’ Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the LORD. (vv.3-4)

Here the prophet Zechariah is saying, “Look at your history," and “Don’t be like you’re your fathers who, did not respond to the call of God. Act upon what the LORD is telling you. Turn to Him and He will turn to you.” Great advise even today for all who claim to follow Jesus. 

The Truth: “Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.” (James 4:8)

James 5 "Be Patient"

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (vv. 7-8)

Farming takes patience and perseverance. Farmers have to wait for many things beyond their control. They wait long days for the winter to thaw so they can begin planting. They wait for the weather to shift and bring rain to offset droughts, and the sun to push away clouds. They wait for calves to be born and chickens to lay eggs. They wait on plants to grow and for the harvest to come. Meanwhile they persevere at the task, tilling the soil, feeding the animals, putting seed in the ground. 

It's no wonder then that James compares our lives as believers to farmers. Certainly his readers knew what it took to cultivate the land with hard work, patience, and perseverance. Those same qualities are integral to our lives as believers as well, while we patiently wait for our Lord’s return. We too must continue to persevere through many things beyond our control here on earth; a pandemic, the economy, layoffs, quarantines, accidents, sickness, and even the deaths of family and friends. Yet none of these things should deter us from our task of serving the LORD, and planting the seeds of His kingdom, for we know we are only pilgrims passing through and this world is not our home. 

Therefore, persevere, plant the seeds of faith and hope around you, and know that your patience will bring forth good fruit in His timing - For your life and your future are in His ultimate control.

The Truth: “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4) 

James 4 "Life Is Short"

 “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (v.14)

Today’s passage is a sobering reminder that life is filled with uncertainty. James makes it very clear that life is "a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." And because of this we ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that" (v.15).

Managing our financial futures, planning for retirement, developing a living trust, working hard and looking ahead to our golden years, these are important and show good wisdom. However, because any day may be our final day on earth, we also need to be sure that we are just as ready to stand before God as well.

Are you prepared to meet your maker? If not, now is a good time to repent of your sin, and ask Him into your heart, to become the LORD of your life. You can do that today by praying the prayer, "Connect With God" to the righthand side of this page. You will be eternally thankful you did. God bless. 

The Truth: “Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” (Psalm 39:5)

2 John "Walking in Truth With Love"

 “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments (truth). This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it (Love). And this is love, that we walk after His commandments.” (v.5-6)

Truth and Love are essential in our walk as Christians. Here in today's reading, John commends the “elect lady” for walking in the truth (v.4), but he reminds her of the command to love (vv.5-6).

Truth without love can make a person harsh, aloof, and unapproachable. Many churches are dogmatic in truth but lack love and grace. They do not experience truth; they just assert it. They are sound in doctrine, but sound asleep in in love and grace. The Pharisees of 2000 years ago believed their Bible, but they were dead to a vital walk with God. Walking in the truth is more than believing the truth. It is practicing the truth and this involves loving one another. 

On the other hand, love without truth is just as dangerous. It can allow problems to grow unchecked, take root in the church, and in our lives. A believer who truly loves, walks “in the truth," and as proof that he/she loves God, will keep His commandments.

Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:10).

Walking by truth alone can be as dry as pine straw. It is “Love” that makes obedience light. Keeping God’s will out of a sense of duty or obligation and with little love for God, is not true love. True love is a response to God from the heart, and obedience follows. 

Therefore "walk in truth" and “love one another," even as Christ loved you and gave His life for you.

The Truth: “He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

James 3 “Heavenly Wisdom”

“The wisdom that is from above is… without hypocrisy.” (v.17)

When there is a discrepancy between what we say and what we do, we create confusion in the minds of others. That's why many nonbelievers do not take the gospel message seriously. A Christian who makes the greatest impact on a watching world, and who furthers the cause of Christ, is one whose actions are in harmony with his speech.

When James spoke of the "wisdom that is from above," he described it as "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (v.17). This wisdom does not require a high IQ or a great SAT score. It comes from a rebirth of our hearts and our spirits to a life truly taken captive by God, which allows us to speak and do the truth.

The opposite of this of course is wisdom which is not from above, but of the world, man's wisdom. Man's wisdom seeks to gain its own way, it is not peaceable, nor gentle, or willing to yield. It is not without partiality or hypocrisy, and generally comes with an agenda. Oh you will hear one message, but the end result will be far from the truth.  

Only when actions and words agree, does the message become loud and clear, and without hypocrisy. 

The Truth: “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” (Matthew 23:1-3)

James 2 "Faith Without Works Is Dead"

 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (v.26)

Which is more important faith or works? At the close of chapter 2, James answers emphatically: both are! Works “complete” our faith—they show that it is awake and alive. Faith and actions work “together” (v. 22). They are not in competition and they are both necessary in the Christian life.

Here in chapter 2 James gives us two examples of faith in action, Abraham and Rahab. Abraham is identified because of the offering of his son Isaac to God, believing God would raise him from the dead to fulfill His promise to him (v. 23). Rahab, at great risk to her own safety, harbored spies (v.25) and misled representatives of the king of Jericho believing in God to save both her and her family (Joshua 2:4-6). Her bravery is recounted again in Hebrews 11:31 among other great examples of faith.

The key here is faith, believing in God, and once you have that, dramatic works of obedience will follow as a natural outpouring of your belief. As John Calvin put it, “Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.”

The Truth: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

James 1 "Crown Of Life"

“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (v.12)

Temptations and trials often occur at the same time. While there is a fine line between them, every hardship holds the potential to "makes us or break us." 

In the Book of Job we saw how God allowed Satan to touch Job’s property, his children, and eventually his health, to cause Job to deny God. But Job endured the hardships, never once denying his LORD and was ultimately rewarded by God with twice what was taken from him (Job 42:10).

As Christians, this speaks to us loud and clear. That when a trials come, Satan will be there to try and get us to (as Job’s wife suggested to him) “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). But fear not, for God will also be there to strengthen us through each trial, and will reward those who diligently seek Him. 

While it may be hard for us to "Count it all joy when we fall into various trials," we can be assured that God will strengthen us to endue the testing, and perfecting the work He began in us. And while we can all agree that the trial itself is not joyful, it equips us better to minister to others who may themselves experience a similar if not the same testing.     

The Truth: "Be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)