Our Daily Scripture – 2/16/25 (Sunday)

SCRIPTURE:  ZECHARIAH 8

THE LORD PROMISES TO BLESS JERUSALEM (vs. 1-23)

BLESSINGS OF GOD TO JERUSALEM:

  1.  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.” (v. 3)
  2.  Men and women of old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem with cane in hand. (v. 4)
  3.  Boys and girls will be playing on the city streets. (v. 5)
  4.  I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem  and be my people and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God. (v. 8)
  5.  The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruits, the ground will produce its crops and the heavens will drop their dew. These things will be an inheritance given to the remnant of the people. (v. 12)
  6.  I will save you and you will be a blessing with strength and without fear. (v. 13)
  7.  The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. (v. 19)
  8.  Many people and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty. (v. 22)
  9.  Ten men from all languages and nations will go with Jerusalem because they have heard that God is with the Jews. (v. 23)

GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS TO JERUSALEM:

  1.  Speak the truth to each other.  (v. 16a)
  2.  Render true and sound judgment in your courts. (v. 16b)
  3.  Do not plot evil against your neighbor.  (v. 17a)
  4.  Do not love to swear falsely. (v. 17b)
  5.  Love truth and peace. (v. 19)

THOUGHTS:

Zechariah encouraged the people in their work with these promises of God.

  1. God will restore Jerusalem.
  2. God will bless them and prosper their task.
  3. God will turn fasting into feasting with joy.

God also promises rich rewards to us but we should also take the responsibility to tell the truth, exercise justice and live peacefully with each other.  If you expect God to do something for you, you should also do your part.

Jerusalem will one day become a holy place and highly respected throughout the world.  People will have a change of heart toward God.  When other nations see how God has rewarded His people, they would also want to be included in their great blessings.