Day 39 - 40 Days in the Old Testament
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 39 | A CALL TO RETURN TO THE LORD
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 39 | A CALL TO RETURN TO THE LORD
A CALL TO RETURN TO THE LORD
Zechariah 1:3-4
“Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’” (NLT)
Zechariah, the prophet, was born in exile in Babylon and came with the first group of exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Zechariah’s overall message to God’s people is that the LORD God, Yahweh, is on their side, wants the best for them, and is sovereign and faithful to His promises. But they – God’s people – must pay attention, stop all their evil practices, and return to the LORD God.
What is it about people that we are always trying to “push the envelope” and see how far we can bend a branch before it breaks? How is it that people, generally, seem bent on ignoring the LORD and doing various things which God declares as evil and sinful?
I am reminded of little children. No parent ever needs to teach a child how to disobey. Even in the early years, all children show their innate old sinful natures and disobey their parents in one way or the other. Thus, every wise parent must learn to correct and guide the child into making better, wiser choices.
Our Heavenly Father deals likewise with us… and here in Zechariah, with the Israelites.
Let me ask, how is your walk with the LORD? Is everything clean and clear with Him? Anything even slightly OFF what He teaches us through His Word, the Bible?
Remember, there are glorious rewards and blessings for living a God-honoring life!
Prayer: LORD, I want to live in a pleasing way to You. Thank you for being so patient. Amen.
Zechariah 1:3-4
“Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’” (NLT)
Zechariah, the prophet, was born in exile in Babylon and came with the first group of exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Zechariah’s overall message to God’s people is that the LORD God, Yahweh, is on their side, wants the best for them, and is sovereign and faithful to His promises. But they – God’s people – must pay attention, stop all their evil practices, and return to the LORD God.
What is it about people that we are always trying to “push the envelope” and see how far we can bend a branch before it breaks? How is it that people, generally, seem bent on ignoring the LORD and doing various things which God declares as evil and sinful?
I am reminded of little children. No parent ever needs to teach a child how to disobey. Even in the early years, all children show their innate old sinful natures and disobey their parents in one way or the other. Thus, every wise parent must learn to correct and guide the child into making better, wiser choices.
Our Heavenly Father deals likewise with us… and here in Zechariah, with the Israelites.
Let me ask, how is your walk with the LORD? Is everything clean and clear with Him? Anything even slightly OFF what He teaches us through His Word, the Bible?
Remember, there are glorious rewards and blessings for living a God-honoring life!
Prayer: LORD, I want to live in a pleasing way to You. Thank you for being so patient. Amen.
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