Text: Zechariah 1:1-21.
God was faithful to His promise of bringing His people back to their homeland (Jer.29:10). But they cannot remain as they were. They must repent, meaning, turn away from their former ways, and turn toward God in obedience from a grateful heart of love. God then gives them promises of peace. The riders in the vision say that the earth is at peace (v.11). So the angel of the Yahweh (v.12, Jesus) intercedes for His people, asking God to have compassion on Judah, as well. Yahweh then promises that He will judge the nations, show compassion on His people, and build His house, the Temple.
When Jesus died on the cross, He paid our sin penalty, He was exiled from the Father for His people. When Jesus was raised, He secured the eternal return, and we who are joined to Him will one day dwell on the new earth forever (Isa.65:17; 2 Pet.3:13; Rev.21:2). All this is done without our contribution and given to us by grace. God has united us to the accomplishments of Christ.We, the Church, are the Temple that Christ is building (Eph.2:21). We must, therefore, live a life of daily repentance from a grateful heart of love for our Saviour and Lord.
Meditate on verse 16. How are you going to respond to it?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, forgive me and receive me back. Shape me to what You want me to be. Amen.