The Lord spoke kind and comforting words
Scripture: Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 1:3
So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. Zechariah 1:13
16 “Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem Jerusalem
Observation: Zechariah was a contemporary with Haggai, and prophesied to the people during the Persian reign when Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple.
In the first Scripture, Zechariah proclaims the Lord’s words to the people that He will return to them if they return to Him. This is also true for us today. Some of us may have left the Lord for various reasons and become no longer close to Him. However, the call is the same, if we return to Him, to Jesus, He will return to us. He is faithful even when we are faithless, and He forgives all who return to Him.
In the second Scripture, Zechariah sees an angel asking God how long more Jerusalem will be left in ruins, and the Lord speaks kind and comforting words to the angel. In spite of Israel ’s unfaithfulness, we can still see the Lord’s love and gentleness towards them. “Kind and comforting” reminds me of the words of Jesus “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Jesus was so kind and comforting that even little children were so comfortable with Him. As we come to God in humility, we can expect to find a wonderful kind, comforting, loving God.
In the third Scripture, Zechariah prophesies how the Lord will return to Jerusalem with mercy and speaks of the restoration of the temple. The picture of the measuring line being stretched out over Jerusalem tells us that the Lord will restore the whole city. Our God is a God of restoration. Even lives which are broken can be restored and made meaningful in Jesus.
Application: If we are away from the Lord, return! God is faithful and will return to us when we return to Him. Know that our God is kind and comforting, even like a mother to her newborn, like Jesus with little children. Even we view our lives as broken and have no hope, trust in God who is able to restore us and make our lives meaningful again.
Prayer: I will return to You, O Lord. In the time of Your favor, return to me and restore me. I praise You Lord for You are kind and comforting, gentle with Your children. I will ever trust in You, for You are the God who restores, who makes even broken things right again. Bless You O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen
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