Zechariah 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty? I feel a little bit like the remnant sometimes. I feel small and discouraged by the circumstances of my life. Last Sunday was one of those days. I was frustrated by some of the events that had happened and discouraged by life. The hope of God’s promises seemed really impossible and it seemed like we’d never get out of the situation we’re in. There always seems to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon, but it never seems to get any closer. I was overwhelmed and felt incredibly small compared to the craziness and circumstances of what is going on around me. But God reminded me of His faithfulness, first through a song by Israel Houghton called “Everywhere That I Go.” Here are the lyrics from the chorus: You promised me, you’ll never leave You promised me, I’m never forsaken and I believe Goodness and mercy, will follow me Surrounding me, where I go Every where that I go These words are incredibly comforting because they remind me that God NEVER leaves, He NEVER gives up, He NEVER fails to keep His promises. He never makes pie-crust promises (those promises that are easily made, easily broken… as Mary Poppins would say). Everywhere that I go, He is there, surrounding me with His great LOVE! So, what seems like it would be impossible and has over time seemed like it will never end, is not impossible for God. He never leaves me stuck here, He never gives up on me, and He never fails to keep His promises. Is it impossible? For me, yes. For God, no. I still get discouraged and feel tiny compared to my overwhelming circumstances, but this (and God’s continual reminders through music) helps me to stay focused on the fact that God is SO much bigger than my storm and SO much more able to do the impossible than I can imagine. I certainly don’t know the future, but I do know that He’s already been there and already knows the best path to take to get there. And in the end, if I get there holding His hand, then no matter what life throws at me, He will lead me in His presence and eventually all those promises will be true.
Zechariah 1:3 Therefore, say to the people, `This is what the LORD Almighty says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD Almighty. I liked how this commentary by Chuck Smith puts it: “This basically is God’s message to the people through the ages. “If you’ll turn to Me, I will turn to you.” When the king Asa had come back from great victory over the Ethiopians and the Nubians, the prophet of God came out to meet him and he said, “The Lord is with you while you are with Him, and if you seek Him, He will be found of you. But if you forsake Him, He will forsake you” (II Chronicles 15:2). Through the ages this is always the case. God is always waiting for man to come. And if you will come to God, you can have fellowship with God, and the Lord will be with you. But the Lord does not force Himself on people. God does not force you to love Him. God does not force you to come to Him. He does not force you to serve Him. He just tells you of His love for you. And because of His love for you, this is what He will do for you if you’re walking in fellowship with Him. But when it comes right down to it, you are the one that has to make the decision. God has done all that He will do to save you. He has provided all that you need. But you must initiate now. God has already done all the initiating He will in providing the way. Now He waits for you to come, and He invites you to come, but you have to do it.”
Haggai 1:9 You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD Almighty, while you are all busy building your own fine houses. I read this and immediately thought about my life and finances. We hoped for rich harvests, there were promises of great things to come, but they were poor and nothing came to pass. What we were able to bring home flew right out again in children’s medical bills, car repairs and diapers (sooooo many diapers). It seemed that we would never have enough to do more than just scrape by (thank goodness for the help and love of family, and for the grace and faithfulness of God’s provision). This same thing happened with Israel. Why? According to this verse, it’s because God’s house lies in ruins. A loooong time ago when this was written, God’s house was literally in ruins. It had been destroyed by invaders. The Israelites who had started to rebuild had rebuilt their homes, but not the Temple. Today, most of us don’t have a physical temple building in ruins laying around our homes and neighborhoods. But the principle still applies. God’s home is our hearts. Have we been so busy trying to build our homes, businesses, and families that we’ve neglected to care for God’s home? Do we spend time with Him? Do we talk with Him? Do we allow Him to work in us? Do we do good for others and love them? I know that for a long time, I was so busy with life that I didn’t have time to spend with God. It wasn’t that I never thought of Him or completely ignored Him, but finding some time to read God’s Word and pray in chunks of time was nearly impossible with two small children! I neglected to build that relationship with God – I neglected to build His temple in me. Maybe that’s part of why we’ve struggled so much these last few years. It may not be all of it. There’s probably a lot of good lessons in there, too, I’m sure. But it could very well be a part of the problem. There’s a reason this chunk of text made it into our version of the Bible…
I need to preface the verses today with a small comment: I woke up this morning struggling not to worry about our finances this next school year. I found out that we won’t be getting our annual cost-of-living raise (no surprise there), but they would be increasing our insurance rates, again. As it is, we struggle to make ends meet, and the prospect of having our income cut even more is a little overwhelming. So, this was the burden of my heart as I sat down this morning. And here is what God gave me: Philippians 4: 4, 6-7, 13 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!… Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus…For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. I can see God up there smiling as I read this morning. These verses aren’t anything new. I even have them memorized. But, for them to be part of what I’m reading this morning, when I’m trying not to worry, when I have a great need, when I greatly need peace, and when I have no idea how to be strong, is such a huge affirmation that God does care about my feelings and about the situations that I find myself in. So, I will find joy in Him, I will thank him for His many blessings (and they are numerous), and I will tell Him what I need (or what I think I need). He knows, He cares, and He’s got all the resources of this universe and millions of others at His fingertips. He sends rain to thirsty flowers and gives food to hungry birds. How much more does He love me and take care of me? I can’t decide if I want to laugh or cry. Yeah God!
Romans 3:3 … but just because some of them broke their promises, does that mean God will break his promises? Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true. Wow, this hit home a couple of days ago when I meant to post this, but the last part hit home today after a not-so-comfortable conversation with a person I thought I could trust… God Hunt Truth: God is TRUE. The very nature of God is truth, and the nature of truth is the inability to lie, the antithesis, of lies. No matter how faithless I am, no matter how many promises I break, I cannot alter the nature and being of God. he will remain God and He will still be true. Our God is not a man made God who is fickle and full of human folly. He is perfectly powerful, absolutely perfect, and eternally faithful and true. I am not big enough, important enough, or powerful enough to change the very nature of God. Therefore, He remains.