Have you read Zechariah? I knew I had cause in seminary I’ve had to read all of scripture. However, in seminary you are reading so much of it, so quickly, only big major things really stick in your memory. A couple of weeks ago, I felt yet another conviction in my life to be more intentional with my quiet times - thanks to Christie Robbins and my friend Mallorie. Weirdly enough, I settled on reading Zechariah not really knowing what it was about.
I laughed as I read the first title “A Call to return to the Lord.” I thought, “Ok Jesus, I see you. I know you’re calling me.”
As I continued reading I was prepared for some good Old Testament prophet fire, hell, and brimstone preaching. And you get a little taste of that in verse 4 when it says “Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.” But then, unexpectedly (though, I’m not sure why I found it surprising ), God responds with grace and compassion.
“12 Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?’ 13 And the Lord answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 14 So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 15 And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. 16 Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17 Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’”
The angel asks about how long God will have no mercy, and the Lord answered gracious and comforting words. God is calling out saying I am jealous for you. Not jealous of you, jealous for you. God desires to spend time with us. Each and every person on earth. Not so that he can send fire, hell, and brimstone, but so that he can fill our cup till it overflows with prosperity.
I don’t know about you but it is hard for life and good things to be poured into me from other places outside of God. I search for it in social media, shopping, or even friends. But all of it is momentary, fleeting, happiness. Nothing overflows from it. I search, and search, and search finding myself tired, annoyed, and frustrated. I find myself so distant from God I think, how in the world am I able to enter into God’s presence? How in the world am I worthy of God’s love? How in the world is God going to choose to work through me?
Yet, I opened my bible, for some reason to Zechariah, and find that God desires for me (or you, or the church) to prosper. Even though I’ve (you, or the church hve) chosen other ways. Even though I’ve (you, the church have) tried to do it on my own. God looks at us with grace and compassion and says, “You will overflow with prosperity.”
God desires for us to prosper. And that prospering might look different from what our culture defines as prospering. But we will prosper. Love, Grace, Joy, Peace, Mercy will overflow out of our beings and be on display for the world to see. Not so that we are elevated, but so that the kingdom of God will be shown through our actions. So that those who also find themselves tired, annoyed, and frustrated might see an alternative way to live. An alternative source to turn to.
Yet how can I turn others to this source, if I myself do not seek it out?
When we seek out God’s word, we can take time to understand. When we seek out God’s kingdom, our actions can match our beliefs. When we seek heavenly things, we can point others to a better way of life.
It seemed fitting to be reminded that Zechariah is mentioned 67 times in the New Testament. The coming of Christ was prophesied through Zechariah. God wants us to prosper and God is able to accomplish this through the work of Jesus on the cross. As we enter into this advent season, may we draw close. May we be “Called to Return to the Lord.” May we be intentional so that others might not just see joy and peace, but might actually see our cup overflow, and get a glimpse of our Heavenly Father.
Written By: Rachel Moraw