Worship

Scripture

I was recently having a conversation with someone. Let’s call them Jenny. Jenny was questioning if she even believed in God and was trying to understand how it was possible for a God to exist in this world that is filled with pain, suffering, and a lack of justice. The truth is, all of her questions were extremely valid and I encouraged her to keep asking the questions she is asking. Immediately, I went to the parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13 and we talked about how the good seed and the bad seed have to grow together until the harvest, and that as Christians it is an extremely important belief that one day there will be a harvest. Maybe today we look around at all of the social turmoil, but we have a hope for the future in Jesus Christ.

In today’s scripture reading The Lord is speaking to his people and trying to get them to understand this hope. Trying to get them to turn their heart from their idolatry and toward the Lord. “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”” Zechariah 8: 4-5. This is a beautiful picture of the future.

As believers, what we believe about the future matters and it shapes who we are in the present. This is what the Lord is trying to cultivate in his rebellious people: a vision for the future that will motivate them to consecrate themselves to the Lord despite their present circumstances. Where there is no vision the people perish, says Proverbs 29. I believe that one of the most formative beliefs in our spiritual walk as Christians is that one day Jesus Christ will come back and He will set the wrongs right, and justice, grace, and peace will prevail. This should motivate us because we don’t serve a God of stone who can do nothing about our circumstances, but we serve a good God who is with us in our pain and gives us a vision for the future.

Take a moment and use your imagination to picture Zechariah 8:4-5 and the Lord correcting all wrongs. Imagine the old men and women and the boys and girls playing around. For me, it is a vision filled with laughter, happiness, wisdom, and health.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

There is nothing too big for our God. Honor His greatness!

ASK GOD

SUBMIT TO GOD

Submit to the Lord and do what He desires of you today!

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, you are gracious. You’ve given me life. You’ve redeemed my soul, and given me power through the Holy Spirit. Help me to live like you today. In Jesus Name, Amen.