November 28, 2011
Central Truth
The LORD God is holy, and He desires to show His might and glory through His people. As we submit our talents, strengths, and influence to Him, allowing His Spirit to work mightily through us, He receives the glory from a watching world.
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6)
1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.” 11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil 1 4:12 Hebrew lacks oil is poured out?” 13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones 2 4:14 Hebrew two sons of new oil who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
I am a journal keeper and have saved my diaries from as far back as second grade. The Lord knows this is my preferred way of interacting with Him; recording my hopes, dreams, questions, and prayers as I walk through His maturing process in my own life.
In Zechariah 4, the angel of the LORD shows Zechariah a vision for the future of His people through specific "builder's plans" regarding the reconstruction of the temple. The Lord reveals that the remnant will lay the "capstone" (a reference to the final crowning stone on the temple, the glory of God's plan coming to fruition), and that the pagan world would then be silenced by the magnificence of this mighty act. If I were studying this chapter on my own, I would have my prayer journal and Bible open, with pen in hand, seeking God's message for me.
So, I will share with you my personal journal entry for Zechariah 4:
LORD, how gracious of You to provide an angel for Zechariah; a messenger to speak Your words of truth, to answer his questions, to encourage him in the task You gave him. I wish I could hear Your voice, be given the exact words You want me to say, and to be strengthened by a heavenly being. O Father, forgive me when I don't consider Your written Word as alive and active, as Your instruction for my life.
Here You tell me that Your Spirit is my source of power. You are saying, "Rely on Me." Honestly, I confess I am drawn to those who display great influence and strength in this world. Often, I rely on my own strength and influence, but today I am completely over my head. It is impossible to work out of my own capabilities. In my fear and weakness, allow me to experience the power and might of Your Spirit at work. Be my courage and strength and help me to sense Your presence as I wait on You. May You be honored in my life today. Amen
1. Oswald Chambers says, "We slander God by our very eagerness to work for Him without knowing Him." Do you long to know how the Spirit of God would direct you?
2. Recall a "great mountain" (4:7) that was truly beyond your skill set to traverse. Looking back on it, did you sense the might and power of the Spirit of God at work in and through you?
3. Do you realize that your physical body is the temple where the Holy Spirit of God resides? For further study, read Galatians 5:16-25, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and John 14:16-17, 26.
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
ZECHARIAH 4-8 (NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 2)
Read Zechariah 7.
What were the people doing in verses 5-6? Were they doing it for the Lord or for themselves?
What does the Lord tell the people to do in verses 8-10? What does He say the people before them had done? (see verses 11-12) What does it mean to harden your heart towards something? Have you ever put your fingers in your ears and hardened your heart towards something you were asked to do?
How can you keep your heart soft to God's ways? When we hear the truth of God's love and trust Him, it will soften us to do His will.
ACTIVITY: Look in verses 9-10. Choose one of the groups of people from verse 10 to show kindness to. Talk about different ideas that each of you have and when you are going to do it. Remember to share with them why you are showing kindness, to share the truth of God's love.