Webster’s dictionary defines encouragement as, “the action of giving someone support, confidence, and hope”. This is the role that Zechariah will play with the people of God over the next week as we read his words. Zechariah is a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Haggai comes with word of rebuke and dire need for repentance from God. Zechariah shows up and counters that with a word of encouragement. God understand we need both and each at different times in our lives. There are times in life when our pride and sin has puffed us up and God needs to humble us and knock our knees out from under us. Then there are times when our sin and brokenness has beaten us down and God needs to lift us back up and make us clean with His message of hope. Zechariah and his visions are a message of hope. They give hope to the people of God in the big areas of God’s sovereignty and also in the return of the Savior. Over the next week as we read through Zechariah, look for the messages of hope and the day of Christ return. And I pray that as we read through this “minor”, yet major prophet, that you feel the hope and encouragement from God’s Word.
1 Comment
Tammy
9/26/2015 03:18:40 pm
i feel encouragement goes further with people rather than harsh words or being "real" with them. Choosing to love in spite of sin is exactly what our God does for us everyday. And here is a reminder of that. All through the OT we see how God is trying to pull His people back to Him. He only calls them to repentance for their own good because He loves them so much. When storms come to us we have to remember that these are the times our God is using to draw us close and remind us that we aren't going to stray too far without Him coming for us. He uses anything and everything to get our attention and draw us back to himself. We serve an amazing God who has amazing love for us. If only we would remember this......we tend to forget an go our own way. So sad, but thankfully we have the encouragement of our Father.
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