Daily Encouragement

September 26, 2010 - The Church Must Be Built

Once again, Zechariah saw the vision of the patrolling horses. God reassured His people that the land was peaceful and especially the former enemy from the north would be in peaceful mood. There would be no worry for the remnant to build the temple.

God also supplied them with the money to build the temple. (v. 9-10) The people were to crown the high priest, Joshua who was given the authority to govern the land. Here the prophecy of Zechariah mentioned the Branch. This referred to the Messianic Branch of David, who would be Jesus who would build the church in the New Testament age. Verse 15 said, "Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD. ..." (NKJV)

Indeed, all of us believers are the stones that are being built together for the temple of God. (Ephesians 2:13)

What a marvelous prophecy that is being fulfilled. Also Zechariah predicted in verse 12-13 that Jesus whose Hebrew name is Joshua will reign over the Land. This would be in the Millennium kingdom!

September 27, 2010 - Obedience Is Better Than Fasting

Meditation on Zechariah 7

When the people came to ask Zechariah whether they should continue the fast which tradition dictated, he answered them by pointing out their misbehavior during their so called fast in the past. While they fasted, they did not execute true justice, show mercy and compassion to their brothers, and oppress the widow, the fatherless, the alien or the poor. They even planned evil against their own brothers. Their hearts were like flint. They did not listen to the word of the prophet.

That was the reason of their poverty and desperate condition.

So what God requires for us all is rather doing what His will is and what His word says. Obedience to God is better than fasting.

September 28, 2010 - The Savior King Who Will Rule Over The Whole Earth

Meditation on Zechariah 9

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the Sunday before His crucifixion, the people rejoiced and sang praises to God. This was the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, "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." (NKJV)

But that was only the first part of the prophecy. Verse 10 continued, "I will cut off the chariot from the Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth." This was speaking that the Messiah King will bring peace to the whole earth.

Jesus the righteous Savior will rule the world with peace. Zechariah had proclaimed God's promise that He would defend the nation of Israel and protected them like a shepherd for His flock. Their land will be productive also. This program of the LORD will be fulfilled soon. Are you anticipating it?

September 29, 2010 - The Second Coming Of The Savior King

Meditation on Zechariah 14

The time when the LORD shall come and stand on the Mount of Olive (v.4) is called the Day of the LORD. He will fight against all the enemies who would be against Jerusalem. He will deliver His people. And there will be great change of the climate in Jerusalem due to the earthquake. There will be living water flowing from Jerusalem to the west and to the east.

Those who fought against Jerusalem will be inflicted with terrible plague similar to some kind of chemical attack. (v. 12) The whole land will be ruled by the Holy LORD. Even the whole world will be coming to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In fact anyone who would not come will be punished by having no rain in his own land. (v. 17-19)

Zechariah was the prophet who had specific predictions concerning the arrival of the LORD King. And it will come to pass soon. Let us live our lives with expectation of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

September 30, 2010 - His Name Will Be Great Among The Nations

Meditation on Malachi 1

Malachi was the last prophet recorded in the Old Testament around 420 B.C. The remnants of Israel had rebuilt the temple and sacrificial system was restored. But the people's spiritual attitude was terrible. God was not pleased with their offering at all. (v. 10) These people even questioned whether God loved them or not. The priests themselves offered defiled and sickly animals to the LORD. Thereby they had profaned the name of the LORD.

Malachi was the messenger of God to change their unacceptable behavior before God and toward one another. He begged them to earnestly pray to God for mercy. They must not dishonor God's name any more. While Israel had failed to glorify God's name in their offerings, Malachi had prophesied that the name of the LORD would be magnify among the nations. Three times, Malachi emphasized that. (v. 5, 11, 14)

Yes, the Messiah has come as Malachi had predicted. And today we have already seen the name of the Lord Jesus has been proclaimed among all nations and His name is great throughout the whole earth. He will be honored even more in the day of the LORD.