Zechariah 7-8 (August 5)
(August 5)
Ref: "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise" (Kirk Dearman)
“We bring the sacrifice of praise, into the house of the Lord.
And we offer up to you the sacrifices of thanksgiving.
And we offer up to you the sacrifices of joy.
Lord we've come into your house
and we've gathered in your name
it's a priviledge to be here
we're so very glad we came
we can sense your holy presence
and the warmth of your embrace
as we lift our hearts in worship
we bring the sacrifice of praise. Lord you've taught us in your words
to gives thanks in everything
you'll provide a place of refuge
beneath the shadow of your wings
so we purpose to obey you
and to walk in all your ways
Lord in every situationWe bring the sacrifice of praise.”
Ref: Zechariah 7:2-3 (NIV)
“The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melech, together with their men,
to entreat the LORD by asking the priests of the house of the LORD Almighty and the prophets,
'Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?'”
Why are you here (in church this morning)?
The Israelites had been fasting in the month of August for 70 years.
They're acknowledging that they're not even completely sure why they do all this.
They're asking the priests and prophets (including Zechariah) for some direction on this
(i.e., they're challenging the status quo in church...
not necessarily the status quo “of” the church, but the status quo “in” the church).
How do you think God will answer their question?
Ref: Zechariah 7:5 (ESV)
“"Say to all the people of the land and the priests,
'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years,
was it for me that you fasted?
And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? '””
Ref: It's Not About Me (Max Lucado)
Is our service here, with each other, in this place for us, for others, or for God?
We need not worry about accumulating, earning, or meriting a blessing.
God promises the blessing in chapter 8!
Ref: Zechariah 8
“This is what the LORD says:
"I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.
Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth,
and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain." [honor]
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem,
each with cane in hand because of his age.
The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there." [peace]
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time,
but will it seem marvelous to me?" [discernment]
declares the LORD Almighty.
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west.
I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people,
and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God." [unity]
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets
who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty,
let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.
Before that time there were no wages for man or beast.
No one could go about his business safely because of his enemy,
for I had turned every man against his neighbor.
But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past," [judgment]
declares the LORD Almighty.
"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit,
the ground will produce its crops,
and the heavens will drop their dew.
I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.
As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel,
so will I save you, and you will be a blessing.
Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong." [abundance]
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you
and showed no pity when your fathers angered me,"
says the LORD Almighty,
"so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah.
Do not be afraid.
These are the things you are to do:
Speak the truth to each other,
and render true and sound judgment in your courts;
do not plot evil against your neighbor,
and do not love to swear falsely.
I hate all this," [discipline/obedience]
declares the LORD.
Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me.
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months
will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah.
Therefore love truth and peace." [praise/worship]
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,
and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say,
'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.'
And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem
to seek the LORD Almighty
and to entreat him." [wisdom]
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"In those days ten men from all languages and nations
will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say,
'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.' " [witness]
(the traits He wants to display and pour into our lives).
He promises to deliver His children from their trials into marvelous and complete blessing (this passage is indirectly applicable to us).
