Love, Truth, and Peace

Zechariah 8:19 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.

Zechariah, whose name means “Yahweh Remembers,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Haggai. With Haggai, he was called to arouse the returned Jews to complete the task of reconstructing the temple (see Ezra 6:14). As the son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, he came from one of the priestly families of the tribe of Levi. He is one of the most messianic of all the Old Testament prophets, giving distinct, verifiable references to the coming Messiah.

The Book of Zechariah begins with the impassioned word of the Lord for the people to repent and turn again to their God. The book is replete with Zechariah’s references to the word of the Lord. The prophet does not deliver his own message, but he faithfully transmits the message given to him by God. The people are called on to repent of their lethargy and complete the unfinished task.

God then assures His people of His love and care for them through a series of eight visions.

The vision of the man and the horses reminds the people of God’s watchful care.

In the vision of the man with the measuring line there is an apocalyptic glimpse of God’s beautiful, peaceful city.

The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen recalls God’s judgment, first on Judah and then on her enemies.

Joshua, the high priest, portrays cleansing from sin.

The magnificent vision of the lampstand among the olive trees assures Zerubbabel that God’s purposes will be accomplished only by His Spirit.

The flying scroll emits God’s pronouncement against stealing and lying.

The vision of the woman in a basket signifies the holiness of God and the removal of sin.

The vision of the four chariots depicts God’s sovereign control over the Earth.

The visions are followed by a coronation scene in which Joshua is crowned as both king and priest. This is powerfully symbolic of the coming Messiah.

Two references to Christ are of profound significance. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is described in detail in 9:9, four hundred years before the event (see Matt. 21:5; Mark 11:7–10).

Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will come as the Lord’s Servant the Branch (3:8), as the Man the Branch (6:12); as both King and Priest (6:13), and as the True Shepherd (11:4–11). He bears eloquent testimony to Christ’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (11:12, 13), His crucifixion (12:10), His sufferings (13:7), and His Second Advent (14:4).

One of the most dramatic verses of prophetic Scriptures is found in 12:10 when in the majority of manuscripts the first person is used: “Then they will look on Me whom they pierced.” Jesus Christ personally prophesied His eventual reception by the house of David.

As we live in harmony with God’s purpose to restore what has lain desolate, we rest in the assurance that God sovereignly governs the affairs of Earth.

The smitten Shepherd will be worshiped as King, and Israel will receive her Messiah. The task of world evangelization will be accomplished. Jesus shall reign.

Zechariah challenges his contemporaries and he challenges us to complete the task God has given us. This entails repentance for neglecting the building up of the house of God. Under the New Covenant, we are to give ourselves to the restoration and cleansing of the temple of God individually and corporately in the church. The glory of God emanating from a restored Zion is not the result of human ingenuity but rather the renewing ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The most often quoted Old Testament verse in reference to the work of the Holy Spirit is 4:6. Zerubbabel is comforted in the assurances 1) that the rebuilding of the temple will not be by military might or human prowess but by the ministry of the Spirit of God; 2) that the Holy Spirit will remove every obstacle that stands against the completion of God’s temple.

~The New Spirit Filled Bible  

The Atmosphere of Breakthrough

Peace creates an atmosphere of blessing, but fear creates an atmosphere of warfare. The Holy Spirit spoke to me one day and said, "Fear is like bait for demons. They smell it and they gather to it in order to feast of its many delights. It gives strength to demons and leaves its victim weak and vulnerable."

"Peace is absolute confusion to the enemy. He doesn't recognize it; he cannot work within the atmosphere of peace because chaos and peace cannot coexist. Peace is the pathway to the banqueting table that I've prepared for you in the presence of your enemies. Peace is to fear like light is to darkness; it dispels it."

Where has the warfare gone when we enter into peace? Where has the constant disruption and violence against our minds gone? It has been dispelled by the presence of God's peace. The Prince of Peace is even now inviting us into this land of peace. We can build our homes and lives there, feasting on the marvelous bounty provided for us at the banqueting table of our Great Provider. The Lord is inviting us to dwell in the land now and forever more. Let us go there together.

Peace Be With You!

"Peace: The Pathway to Breakthrough" ~Kathi Pelton 

Life in Terms of Worshipping God

King Hezekiah Healed

Isaiah 38:1-22 | In those days Hezekiah [king of Judah] became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him and said, “For the Lord says this, ‘Set your house in order and prepare a will, for you shall die; you will not live.’” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, just remember how I have walked before You in faithfulness and truth, and with a whole heart [absolutely devoted to You], and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept greatly. 4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, ‘For the Lord, the God of David your father says this, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; listen carefully, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city [Jerusalem].”’ 7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that He has spoken: 8 Listen carefully, I will turn the shadow on the stairway [denoting the time of day] ten steps backward, the shadow on the stairway ([a]sundial) of Ahaz.” And the sunlight went ten steps backward on the stairway where it had [previously] gone down. 9 This is the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after he had been sick and had recovered from his illness: 10 I said, “In mid-life I am to go through the gates of Sheol (the place of the dead), I am to be summoned, deprived of the remainder of my years.” 11 I said, “I will not see the Lord The Lord in the land of the living; I will no longer see man among the inhabitants of the world. 12 “My dwelling (body) is pulled up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent; I have rolled up my life as a weaver [rolls up the finished web]. He cuts me free from the warp [of the loom]; From day to night You bring me to an end. 13 “I lay down until morning. Like a lion, so He breaks all my bones; From day until night You bring me to an end. 14 “Like a swallow, like a crane, so I chirp; I coo like a dove. My eyes look wistfully upward; O Lord, I am oppressed, take my side and be my security. 15 “What shall I say? For He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it; I will wander aimlessly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul. 16 “O Lord, by these things men live, And in all these is the life of my spirit; Restore me to health and let me live! 17 “Indeed, it was for my own well-being that I had such bitterness; But You have loved back my life from the pit of nothingness (destruction), For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. 18 “For Sheol cannot praise or thank You;  and rejoice in You;  Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. 19  “It is the living who give praise and thanks to You, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness. 20  “The Lord is ready to save me; Therefore we will play my songs on stringed instruments All the days of our lives at the house of the Lord.” 21 Now Isaiah had said, “Have them take a cake of figs and rub it [as an ointment] on the inflamed spot, that he may recover.” 22 Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I will go up to the house of the Lord?”

NKJV New Spirit-Filled Life Bible Study

2 Kings 20:13-15 Hezekiah was showing off his wealth to the Babylonians, in disregard of the mercy God had just granted him.

13 Hezekiah listened to and welcomed them and [[c]foolishly] showed them all his treasure house—the silver and gold and spices and precious oil and his armory and everything that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house (palace) nor in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say [that would cause you to do this for them]? From where have they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.” 15 Isaiah said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen everything that is in my house (palace). There is nothing in my treasuries that I have not shown them.”

Isaiah 38:1–22 Ch. 38 is the account of the life-threatening illness of King Hezekiah and his miraculous healing in answer to prayer. See note on 2 Kin. 20:1–7.38:8 See note on 2 Kin. 20:8–11.

38:9–20 These verses express Hezekiah’s reaction to the thought of being doomed to death. He appeals to God for help. When he receives it, he evaluates the meaning of life in terms of worshiping God. Doing so, he exemplifies the NT believer’s attitude at being rescued from death and given eternal life.

38:15–20 It was for my own peace: God’s promise of healing brought joyful relief to the king; his spirit was totally revived. 

38:17 If God is making no further accusation regarding a man’s past sins, then the man should sense no further condemnation over them.

38:21 God chose to miraculously heal Hezekiah through a simple medical procedure (see John 9:6–15). It is not clear why a simple boil was nearly fatal (v. 1).

LORD, just as You endured the cross and the suffering that went with it because You saw the glory and joy set before You at the right hand of Your Father God, help me to endure what I must for the joy set before me of knowing You have defeated the enemy and I will spend eternity with You. Thank You for the joy of knowing  we will win because You have conquered death and defeated hell. I thank You that you have given me a second chance to do something great for You. No matter what I have done or what has happened in my past, You will still use me for Your purposes because I have committed my life to you in every way.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. ~Prayer by Stormie Omartain | PRAYER WARRIOR

Stormie Omartian Story

Stormie Omartian