I Peter 3;1-9   In chapter 2 Peter wrote of two specific purposes we have as believers.. in verse 9 he wrote that we are chosen as God's own possessions to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light."  And in verse 21 he wrote, " For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps."  We are called to proclaim His excellencies.. and to do what is right, just like Jesus. 

 In chapter 3 Peter gives us another exhortation of what we are called to do.. " To sum it up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you may inherit a blessing." 

This is what it looks like when we "die to sin"  and "live to righteousness".. when we follow the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.

In the first 6 verses Peter addresses wives.  A believing wife, who is fulfilling her calling as noted above.. will have a godly character. She will be submissive to her husband. She willing subjects herself to the leadership of her husband.  She will be chaste.. modest, proper, innocent; and she will be respectful.  She will not just be shallow, thinking about her outward appearance, but she will have a "meek and quiet spirit" that is precious to God. This does not mean she is careless about her appearance.. it means that the most important thing in her life is living a life pleasing to the Lord.. which will be reflected in her attitude and actions... so much more beautiful than gold or fancy dresses. 

Verse 7 addresses the husbands.. who "likewise" need to strive to be the kind of husband that pleases God.. "giving honor to his wife".. treating her as one who may not have as much physical strength as he has, but who is a "fellow heir of the grace of life". 

Together, we live according to His purpose for us.. and receive His blessing! 

In this world, this message is misunderstood and hated.  But, to us who follow Jesus, we see that this is a greater way.. a higher path that we are called to walk.. to walk the way that He walked.  It takes His Spirit, transforming our thinking and conforming us to His image.. for the greatest purpose of all.. to receive His blessing... an inheritance that is "imperishable and undefiled"!  

Oh to be like Him.. Blessed Redeemer! 

Father, conform our hearts to Your heart.. transform our minds to the Mind of Christ.. May our inner beings be beautiful and precious to You... may we have a spirit of meekness and quietness.. with humility and harmony.. with kindness and compassion.  May we have the ability to return good for evil and grace for insults. May we be people who give blessings and not curses.  May we live to proclaim Your excellencies! May we follow the steps of Jesus our Lord.  We ask this in His Wonderful Name. Amen. 

 I Peter 2:11-25  Peter addresses this to his "dear friends"  the "beloved" who are "aliens and strangers".. pilgrims in this life on earth. This includes us..   He calls us to "abstain from fleshly lusts".. (v 11)  to "keep your behavior excellent"..(v12) to "submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution".(v13)... to "honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king."  (v17)

This is the kind of behavior, Peter tells us, that is like Christ's.. who "while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." ( v23) 

These are not things we do naturally.  But, by the power of His Spirit we can do "good deeds" and "glorify God in the day of visitation". 

When we honor the office of authority.. in our case the presidency, congress, and judges.. we are doing what pleases God. 

When we submit ourselves to those whom we serve.. we are honoring God. 

When we do what is right, in spite of suffering or persecution, or whatever.. then we are pleasing God. "But if when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure it, this find favor with God." (v20) 

Peter writes "you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for your to follow in His steps." (v21)  

Jesus died, He  " bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; and by His wounds we are healed." (v24) 

Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, we look to You in this pilgrim journey of life.  We want to do Your will and please You... in doing good works with the attitude and steadfastness of Christ Jesus, who died in our place that we might live to glorify You.  Fill us Spirit of God that we might stand firm.. that we might live in righteousness and truth, with faith that grows deeper through Your Word.  May our lives be marked by Your Grace and Peace.  May we tell of the excellencies of our God who has brought us out of darkness and into Your marvelous light. In Jesus' name we come. Amen. 

 I Peter 2:4-10 We "come to Him, the living Stone... "   

 Psalm 118:22-23 " The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."   Jesus quotes these verses in Matthew 21:42.  He was speaking about the Kingdom. He said  that some would fall on this "stone" and be broken.. while others would be crushed under this stone and be "scattered....like dust." (v44) Peter used this verse in Acts 4:11 after he and John were arrested and told not to speak in Jesus' name.  He went on to say, " And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (v12) 

Paul also referred to this image of a stone in his letter to the Romans, " They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written, Behold I lay in Zion a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense, And He who believes in Him will not be disappointed."  This is actually a quote from Isaiah 28:16 which is a warning to Judah to turn from their scoffing and their covenant with death.  Isaiah previously had  spoken about God who "shall become a sanctuary; both to the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over.. " ( Isaiah 8:14) 

Jesus is seen as both a precious cornerstone and as a rock of offense.  Those who reject Him are those who will stumble "because they are disobedient to the word and to this doom they were also appointed. "  But, those who receive Him.. " this precious value, then is for those who believe.."  

When we come to Him.. the "choice and precious" Stone, Peter writes, we also become "living stones". We are built together into a "spiritual house for a holy priesthood".  We become the dwelling place of God.. a living tabernacle.. and together,  a family that serves God.  We take the role of priests.. offering "spiritual sacrifices".  We are "chosen.. for God's own possession". We are given a purpose.. to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 

We once were not His.. but now we are.

We once had not received mercy.. but now we have received mercy. 

We were once in darkness.. but now.. we are in His marvelous Light. 

The difference is all because of how we see Jesus.. Is he the precious Cornerstone.. the Living Stone who remakes us as we fall on Him?  Or, to we stumble over Him, rejecting His Word, and staying in the dark? If so.. we will be crushed. 

Heavenly Father, we rejoice in Your great salvation! We rejoice in the Precious Cornerstone, Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank You for choosing us to be living stones.. to be Your sanctuary.. Your servants.. Your possession. Open our mouths to speak forth the excellencies of Christ.. to reverence and honor Your Holy Name... and to live in every way as Your Spirit leads us.. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 I Peter 2:1-3  We have this powerful salvation through the Lamb of God and through the Word that abides forever.. now Peter tells us to "grow up in your salvation" .  

He has reminded us that we are called to be "holy yourselves in all your behavior"(1:15)  "Therefore" he writes, "putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord." 

Malice - wickedness, naughtiness, depravity, trouble.. ill-will;  As believers and followers of Jesus there is no place for this kind of behavior in our lives... even if it is ill-will against someone "more wicked" than ourselves. 

Guile - trickery, deceit, craftiness;  As Jesus taught.. let our yes be yes and our no.. no. Speak truth. Be honest even when it hurts. 

Hypocrisy - another kind of deceitfulness.. pretending.. acting one way and saying something different. 

Envy - jealousy, spite, 

Slander - defamation; backbiting; evil speaking; 

As born again children of our Heavenly Father, we are to put away .. rid ourselves.. of these kinds of behaviors.  We can do so by drinking in the Word of Truth.. by tasting the goodness of the Lord, receiving nourishment from the eternal source that abides forever. 

Jesus said, "It is written, man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." ( Matthew 4:4)  This is a quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3.. in a passage that the Lord speaks to His people, reminding them of how He has provided for them and is bringing them into a good land where every need will be provided for.  When we remember these truths.. taking in the Word of truth.. we will grow in our salvation, and we will not longer allow wickedness, deceit, spite, or backbiting to be part of our lives. We will be built up.. into the chosen people that God has called us to become. We will be satisfied in Him, whom we trust. 

Father in heaven, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.. It is our sword of the Spirit.. It is the Word of life. It is by your Word that we hear and have faith. It is our daily bread and our living water that never runs dry.  It is the living Word, active and sharper than a two-edged sword.  May we desire Your word every day.. may we drink in this "pure milk" that helps us to grow up in our salvation.  Teach us more Holy Spirit as we look into the holy word, bring understanding .  Renew our minds and conform us to the image of the Savior. We ask this in His holy name. Amen.

 I Peter 1:10-25  "As to this salvation... "  

The salvation that will be revealed in its fullness on that day.(v5). 

The salvation that the prophets foretold..(v10)

The salvation that the "angels long to look" at.. (v12)

The salvation revealed to us through the gospel..(v12)

The salvation that is the outcome of our faith..(v9)

This salvation.. changes everything in our lives.  Peter tells us to "gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you  at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 

Gird your mind.. Be spiritually alert and prepared.  Be ready to act. Be sober.. calm, watchful, not distracted by the things of the world, not controlled by anything but the Holy Spirit. Be fixed on, set your heart on the hope that comes through the grace of Jesus.. .. perfectly, completely waiting for that salvation.. with joy and confidence. 

Our lives are changed by this salvation.  We become "obedient children". We are no longer conformed to the sinful ways that we once embraced. We have been made holy.. and we desire to remain holy in all our ways. We "conduct [ourselves] in fear during the time of [our] stay upon earth."  (v17) 

Our Father is an impartial judge.  He has redeemed us with the "precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."  He sent His only Son for "the sake of you".  It is through Christ Jesus that we become believers in God.. the One who raised Him from the grave and gave Him glory! 

This truth, Peter wrote, purifies our souls and gives us a sincere love for our brothers and sisters.  We have been "born again" with the "imperishable" seed.. the "living and abiding word of God."  This word will never pass away! This word is the gospel that was preached to us and we received. This is the salvation that protects us now and awaits us for eternity!

Father in heaven, how can we thank You for this great salvation? We want to fully embrace Your truth and live in holiness and reverent fear... for You are the Holy One who will judge us each, impartially and justly. How thankful we are for the blood of the Lamb, that covers us, that provided deliverance from the penalty of sin.  We come before You with hearts that are made new because of Your great love.  Oh how we love You and thank You for such grace!  One day we will  stand before You ... in Christ alone.. spotless and blameless., because You are faithful and You will sanctify us entirely according to Your word. Hallelujah and amen. Have Your way in us today, Lord, I pray. Amen. 

 I Peter 1:6-9  Peter and James both write about rejoicing in trials.  Our pastor just preached on this at my church yesterday... and so it seems as I come to this passage that the Shepherd has brought me here at this moment for a reason.  Besides these two passages I am just finishing a book called Coming Back by Steve and Valerie Bell.  It is a book of stories from people who experienced "various trials".. and are what the Bells call "spiritual survivors".  These survivors faced everything from extreme depression to the loss of a child who was abducted and murdered.  The message of this book is that we can come through horrible trials.. with our faith intact.. and even strengthened.   Peter and James are giving us a way to do the same!

Peter writes, " In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.. " We need the reminder in the first 5 verses to know the "in this" part... It is the truth that we have been chosen by God.. that He has had great mercy on us and we are "born again" to a "living hope".  We have a secure inheritance awaiting us.. we have a powerful salvation that protects us. "In this".. in the truth of who we are in Christ.. we can rejoice even when we are in distress. 

Peter says that these trials bring about the "proof of your faith".. Our faith is something of great value..  "being more precious than gold which is perishable".  Gold is refined by the fire, we know.  The impurities are removed, so what is left is purer and of more value.  In the same way, trials in our lives reveal what is in our hearts.. and God will enable us to let go of those things that are impure.  So then...  our tested and proven faith "may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 

The Bells wrote this, " Crisis seems to be the real test of our theology. It forces our faith out of the academic and into life. Until we bump up against an extreme trial, we may not know what kind of faith we actually have.  In a sense, crisis reveals our most vulnerable area, where our faith may be weakest.... Our soul's deepest need is exposed in crisis." ( Spiritual Survivors; Coming Back) 

So how do we survive these "various trials"  and actually rejoice in them?  Peter tells us in verse 8, " and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."  We hold on to the One who hold us in His Hands.  We cling to the Truth.  We believe what we cannot see.. that even in the trials, God is working His good will.  He is refining our faith.  He is purifying our faith.  He is completing what He has begun in us.. to the glory and honor and praise of the One who loved us and died for us. The One that we love even though we don't see Him now. He is preparing us for the eternal life that He has promised!  Hold on to these Truths!

Father in heaven, You know that we need You.. but sometimes we don't know how much we really need You until we are facing a crisis or any kind of trial. Thank You for using "all things" in our lives to accomplish Your good and perfect will in each of us.  You have known us.. individually.. and chosen us.  You are working to conform us to the image of Your Son.  You are for us.  You love us. And nothing.. can separate us from Your love. No trial. No crisis.  Nothing. Oh Thank You Father! Thank You Jesus!  Thank You Holy Spirit! Amen and amen. May we hold on tightly to Your Truth. In Jesus' name Amen. 

I Peter 1:1-5  Peter is writing to the "scattered".. "aliens".. those "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father"...In many ways, we are also the scattered strangers.. sojourners, living in a strange place.. pilgrims moving through this world.. that is not our "home".   

He writes to those known by God.. thought of by God before we even came into being. By His choice, by His means, and by His will.. He chose us.

It is through the "sanctifying work of the Spirit" that we are brought into obedience to Jesus Christ.  "Through" - denotes a fixed position.. a place, a time, or state.  At a time of God's choosing, we were consecrated, purified.. sanctified by the Spirit of God.. so that we might "obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood;" 

"Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."  Because Jesus was dead.. and then was resurrected from the dead.. we also, by God's mercy, experience a transition from being dead.. in our sin.. to having new life in Christ.  We have a "living hope".. an eternal expectation of life.  This is what God has done!

He has given us an "inheritance " that can never perish, never be defiled, and will never fade away.  It is a possession that is reserved for us.. guarded in the fortress of heaven..  It is "for you" Peter says, you "who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 

Through faith in God.. we have.. a living hope, an imperishable inheritance, and a powerful salvation!  Yes, in this we "greatly rejoice"!

Our Father in heaven, blessed are You who has had such great mercy on us.. to think of us, to choose us, to give us life.... new life in Christ Jesus. We are protected by Your power.. Your immense and unsurpassable power.. for a salvation that is going to be revealed in the last time.  We rejoice in Your mercy and grace, in Your power and love. May we walk in obedience to Christ, being filled with Your Spirit.. in all purity and holiness, for the glory of Your Name. amen. 

 Malachi 4  The final word of Malachi speaks of a time to come, when there will be a certain judgement.  On that day, the Lord declares that the proud or arrogant.. "all that do wickedly".. will be set on fire.. burned up.. and there will be "not a root or a branch" left. 

 The Lord had called Israel His vineyard where He had planted "the choicest vine"  ( Isaiah 5:2)..  but when they turned from Him and chose idols instead of Him.. when they didn't produce good fruit... He said that the vineyard would be "laid waste".  He desired "justice but behold bloodshed".  He looked for "righteousness but behold, a cry of distress". ( v7) 

"But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall."   This is a picture of life.. of beauty and joy.. of a day  that the Lord is preparing for those who fear Him and obey His word. 

v 4 "Remember the law.. "  He reminds His people. This is what sets apart those who will be saved and those who will be burned to stubble.  It will be a "terrible day of the Lord".. for those who will not return to Him.  But, for those who do, the Lord says He will... "restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.. " 

The Lord always gives us a choice.. life or death.. His way or our own way.  We choose to believe His word or we don't.  We choose to obey His commands or ignore them.. or even willfully disobey them. We choose to follow Jesus and have eternal life. Or we choose to reject Him and earn the wages of sin.. death. Malachi teaches us that we need to make a choice.. that we need to carefully consider all we do and say.. and make every choice according to the Word of the Lord. 

Choose to honor the Name of the Lord. 

Choose to bring an acceptable offering to Him.. the "whole tithe".. your whole self. 

Choose to speak truth and preserve knowledge. 

Choose to love your spouse. 

Choose to love your neighbors as yourself. 

Choose humility and not arrogance. 

Choose to serve the Lord.. in trusting Him and in obedience to His commands. 

Father, come with healing, come with restoration, come with blessing and joy.. to build Your church, to heal our land, and to make us Your people. We choose You, "Thou art a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness." ( Nehemiah 9:17) You will not forsake Your own.   May You say of us  today... " They are Mine."  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Malachi 3:1-5 “ I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple, the messenger of the covenant whom you desire will come, says the Lord Almighty”. 

Jesus was coming.. and what Malachi said should have prepared the Pharisees and Saduccees. “ But who can endure the day of his coming?”  Jesus was not the Messiah that they wanted.. they could not accept Him.. even though He did exactly what Malachi said.. 

He came “like a refiner’s fire or launderer’s soap”.. 

He came to refine them “as a refiner and purifier of silver”

He came so that Judah would no longer offer defective offerings.. but come in righteousness. 

He came to expose the “sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers..”. He came to testify against those who defrauded the workers and oppressed the “widows and the fatherless” and those who deprived “the foreigners .. of justice.” 

He came because they no longer feared the Lord Almighty. 

When we look at all Jesus said and did in the Gospels.. we see that He did exactly that.. for the purpose of refining the people of God to become all that God desired them to be. 

V6-15. Once again the Lord addresses  Judah.. 

“Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty.”  He was not the one who changed..the people of God continued to turn away from Him.. and they didn’t even see it.  “How are we to return?” They asked.  “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse..”   Do what you were commanded to do and do it in faith.. “ and see if I will not throw open the flood gates of heaven.. “ 

“You have spoken arrogantly against Me..”  the Lord says.. “What have we said against you?” They argued.  They didn’t see any use in serving God. They saw the arrogant being “blessed” and prospering. They saw the rich getting richer and getting away with their sinfulness. But, God said that this was “arrogant” talk.. for He did not change, and He was worthy of their faith.. of their worship.. and of their obedience.. They need to see as He truly is.  We need to be humble and reverent before Him.. and to trust Him to deal with the wicked.  What a relevant lesson in today’s climate!

Some listened that day.. and they “talked with each other”.  The Lord “listened and heard”. They wrote down this “scroll of remembrance”.. they “feared the Lord and honored His name.” The Lord called them “my treasured possession.”  He said, “ I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”  

Father in heaven, we honor Your holy name. We know that You do not change.  You do not ignore the wickedness of the world.  You do not forget those who belong to You.  You call us to be faithful and faith-filled. To trust You in all things and to obey Your Word.  Let us hear, once again, the words of Life.. the Words of our Lord who refines us like silver and purifies us like gold.  May we walk in faith, bringing the “whole tithe” into Your storehouse.  May we see that You are at work even when we don’t see it and that we can rest in Christ. Help us to be compassionate and kind, generous and loving.. filled with the grace of our Savior. Help us to walk in Christ so that all will be able to see the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Help us to stand apart as those who serve You. Let Your glory shine forth in Your people today, I pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 Malachi 2:10-17  What the NIV calls "being unfaithful".. the NASB and the KJV call "to profane the covenant".   To break a vow.. a sacred promise.  There are two examples given in this passage.. Judah's unfaithfulness to the Lord's sanctuary.. and thus to the Lord;  and a husbands unfaithfulness to his wife. 

Judah was guilty of what the Lord calls "treacherous" and "an abomination".. They were polluting the nation, the sanctuary, and the covenant by marrying foreign women who worshipped foreign gods. 

The Lord would not accept such a betrayal of His people. "As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord remove him from the tents of Jacob.. " This was non-negotiable for the people of God. 

To make matters worse, these same men would bring offerings, trying to make up for their sinfulness.. they would weep and wail.. but they could not earn the Lord's blessing.  God saw what they had done, how they had treated their wives that He had given them. ".. the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant." 

"Has not God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit."  That is a very clear message! The marriages of God's people were meant to produce godly offspring. They were meant to glorify God. Instead these people were callously divorcing their covenant wives and marrying foreign, idol-worshipping, ungodly women.  Everything about this offended God. 

Yet, they went even further in their unfaithfulness.  "You have wearied the Lord with your words.. by saying 'All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them'  or 'Where is the God of justice?' ( v17) 

How is it that we, God's people, in this day and age.. weary the Lord?  Do we offend Him? Do we act treacherously or unfaithfully?  Are we profane in our actions? Do we forget that we belong to Him.. both in body and in spirit?  We are living in a world.. in a country.. where this is prevalent.  There is so much divorce.. even in the church. There is so much unfaithfulness.. so much evil.  We have heard people who call themselves "Christians"  who are calling evil "good" and what is good "evil".  

"Where is the God of justice?"  Oh.. He is coming!  He sees everything and He knows every heart. What must we do?  As we have been praying, " If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." ( II Chronicles 7:14)

Father we seek Your face! Amen. 

 Malachi 2:1-9  This message is again directed towards the priests.  Not only was God displeased with the defiled offerings.. He was angry at the priests who would not listen to Him. "If you do not listen and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name, says the Lord of hosts, then I well send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings.. "

Because their hearts were not resolved to honor God... because they offered unacceptable offerings.. because they did not teach Truth.. and do righteousness.. God said this, "But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi.. "  Because they did not honor Him, God would bring dishonor upon them.  "Behold, I am going to rebuke your offspring, and I will spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it."  

The covenant of Levi, the Lord says, " was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me, and stood in awe of My name."  The tribe of Levi had been given a special position as God's servants.  They were to be His. They were given in place of every first born son which were God's possessions.  The first born son was to be set apart.. sanctified for service to God.  That is what the descendants of Levi were meant to be.  They were supposed to speak for God with "true instruction" to "preserve knowledge" and to be a "messenger of the Lord of hosts." 

Because of their disobedience and failure to honor God with all their hearts.. God made them "despised and abased before all the people." (v9) 

The priests and Levites during the time of Jesus were no better than these in Malachi's day.  They did not honor the Name of the Lord, they did not offer holy sacrifices.  Jesus said that their hearts were corrupt, like dead men's bones.  They did not even recognize or accept the True First born Son of God.  There is no temple to serve in, but , those who may be descendants of Levi  are integrated into the Israeli population, no longer in the position that God had given them. 

The Shepherd, our only High Priest, tells us to "Hallow" the Father's name.  God desires to give us true life in His Son.. He desires for us to do what the priests failed to do.. speak truth, preserve knowledge, and be a messenger of His Word.. and it must be done from a heart that is devoted fully to honor and revere Him. 

Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name!  You alone are God. You are good and ready to forgive. You are abundant in lovingkindness and You hear those who call upon You. We come asking that You would forgive us our trespasses against You. We ask that You would lead us on Your paths of righteousness and that You would guard our hearts. Help us to be fully devoted to You, fully kept in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.. for it is in His Name that we trust and we pray. Amen. 

 Malachi 1  The final book of the Old Testament.. the words of a prophet who lived after the exile.. after the temple was rebuilt.. after 100 years back in the homeland.  And.. already, the people have become discouraged.. they have forsaken the ways of the Lord.. they have lost hope. 

But, God said, "I have loved you."   They couldn't see Him. They didn't feel His love. They saw the destruction of Edom, and wondered if they were next.  They wouldn't just take God at His Word.. "I have loved you." 

Verses 6-14 are addressed to the priests and to those who offered sacrifices.  " A son honors his father and a servant his master.. Then if I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my respect?"  The Lord calls them out for offering "defiled" offerings.  They were commanded to bring the best.. of the flock.. the first and finest of the harvest.. the finest of oil.  But, they brought blind sheep. They brought stolen goods. They brought sick or lame offerings.. "Should I receive that from your hand?"  

God is holy.  He requires holiness in those who come to worship Him.  He requires His Name to be magnified and feared.. in His people and in all the nations as they observe His people.  That was not happening then.. it is not happening now. 

What is the Shepherd saying to us today? He is still saying..   "I have loved you."  How has He loved us?  He sent His precious Son, to bear our sins on a cruel cross. He made Him suffer for our evil ways.  He has not treated us as our sins deserve.. but instead He has forgiven us, redeemed us, restored us... and made us new.  He has a good plan for us now.. and an eternal future beyond this world.. prepared for us.  Yes, He has loved us!

He also is calling us to pure worship. To honor His name and  respect to His Lordship over us.  Are we bringing less than our best when we come before Him?  Are we coming to church with wrong motives.. going through the motions without giving ourselves fully to Him?  He is worthy of all glory and honor and praise.  Let us come before Him with humble and contrite hearts.. with our whole selves, bowing before Him in reverence and gratitude. 

Father, we want to bring You pure worship.. to honor You as our Father.. to respect You as our King and Master. We want to come with our whole hearts.. to love You as You have loved us. Cleanse us from all iniquity and cover us with the righteousness of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is in His Name that we pray..Amen. 

 Zechariah 11-14 These last 4 chapters of Zechariah are filled with familiar prophecies.. 

In chapter 11:12-13 the Lord tells the prophet to take the 30 pieces of silver that he received and "throw it to the potter.. "  He calls it "that magnificent price at which I was valued.. "  In Exodus 21:32 we learn that this is the price that one would pay for a slave that was killed by an ox..  We know it is that price that Judas received for his betrayal of Jesus.  We know that he threw the money back to the Pharisees and that they used it to buy a "potter's field".  

In chapter 12:10 the Lord said, " and I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born."  That day is yet to come... 

In chapter 13:7 the declares.. " Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; "  The words that Jesus used on the Mount of Olives before His arrest. 

In chapter 14 we are given the prophecy of Christ's return.. " and in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.. and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley.. "  Verse 5.. " Then the Lord, my God will come and all the holy ones with Him!"  It will be a day when there will be no darkness.. when living water will flow out of Jerusalem.. when ".. the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one." 

I wonder what Zechariah made of all his visions and "burdens".  Did he know that his words would point to Jesus.. both the first time He came.. and when He comes again?   I am overwhelmed just by these few verses and I know there is so much more that we could explore and learn from this book.. but, for now, this is enough.. for it is brings to mind the Savior who came and lived.. who fulfilled all the Law and the Prophets.. and who was betrayed, crucified, and who rose again.  It brings encouragement for we know that there is a day coming when He will return!  Lord, haste that day!

Father in heaven, thank You for this word.. thank You that we have such a Savior that is coming to reign over all the earth..  over all of creation. We don't understand all of this.. but what we have learned is that You are the Lord who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth, and formed the spirit of man within him (12:1).. and that You have spoken and we can count on every Word to be accomplished.  With wonder and awe we look to You and wait for that Day.  May we all be ready.. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Zechariah 10  This chapter is full of metaphors and illustrations.  Again, the Lord is looking at His people.. who will be brought back.. restored.. and fully blessed. 

"Ask rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain - the Lord who makes the storm cloud; and He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field of each man."  We are to ask the Lord for what is needed.. He alone can provide. He is the Sovereign God and only He controls the earth's resources. 

In contrast, verse 2 speaks against the idols and diviners.. those who have spoken lies and deceived the people.  They caused the flock to wander away.. and the shepherds failed to lead the sheep back to the Lord.  He takes things into His own hands..  He will punish the failing leaders.. and care for His flock Himself. 

"From Judah will come the cornerstone.. the tent peg.. the battle bow.. every ruler." Ready for battle.. Judah will fight.. " for the Lord will be with them." 

The Lord proclaims His plan for His people.. 

v6  He will strengthen them, save them, bring them back and have compassion on them.

v7 He will make them mighty, He will make their hearts glad, He will give their children reason to rejoice.

v8 " I will whistle for them to gather together, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they were before." 

v12 " And I shall strengthen them in the Lord, and in His name they will walk, declares the Lord." 

God, our Creator and Sovereign Ruler, sent His Son, to be the Cornerstone, the One who He "appointed heir of all things.. " the One to whom all things are subject.. for whom all things were made and through whom all things came into being.  Jesus came to be the Shepherd for there is no other who can lead the flock back Home.  It is in His Name that we are strengthened.. it is in His name that we walk.. and gather together as the redeemed of the Lord. 

I do not know all of the meanings packed into this book of Zechariah.. but, I find hope.. I find renewal.. I find encouragement.. knowing that God sees us.. loves us.. calls for us.. and is ready to gather us together to be with Him forever more. 

Thank You Father.. we are listening.. for Your whistle.. and for Your trumpet. Strengthen us in Jesus... that we may walk with Him today.. In His name we pray. Amen. 

 Zechariah 9  In this message, the Lord speaks about the enemies of Israel and how He will deal with each of them.  Then, suddenly, a song of praise jumps out.. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Indeed your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." ( v9) 

We know who this is!  We know that He came into Jerusalem just like Zechariah prophesied. We know.. and rejoice that the King has come and that He is coming once again.  He will fulfill the rest of Zechariah's message from verse 10 .. " and He will speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth."  Hallelujah !

The message continues to be good news!  The Lord intends to deliver Israel.. "because of the blood of My covenant with you.. "  

He will set the prisoners free. (v11)

He will restore what was lost. (v12)

He will fight for them and with them. (v13-14)

He will defend them. (v15)

" And the Lord their God will save them in that day as the flock of His people; For they are as the stones of a crown, sparkling in His land. For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs!" (v16-17)

There is a day coming.. when we will see the beauty of Jerusalem with all the splendor of heaven.. All because Jesus came.. and He is coming again!

Father in heaven, thank You for this living hope that we have in Christ Jesus the King. We long for that day and pray that You will prepare us according to the Word and by Your Spirit. We pray for many who do not have such hope.. that You would bring them to repentance.. and give them new life in Christ.  Bring revival by the power of Your Spirit who dwells among us and in us. In Jesus' name we pray.Amen. 

 Zechariah 8 After condemning the practice of empty formalism.. the worthless practice of religious rituals that were self-imposed and unworthy of Him, the Lord tells Israel, " I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her."   The Lord's passion for Zion, for His people, exceeds any bounds.. it is incomprehensible to us.. this stubborn, unfaithful, sinful, idolatrous nation.. just coming back from 70 years of exile because of its sinfulness.. and still not living as God's holy ones.  How can He be passionately jealous for them? Because...

God sees what will be.. not what has been or presently is..  " I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain." (v3)

He sees a city where there are "old men and old women.." where the streets will "be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets."  He sees a city that is filled with people that He brings back" from the east.. and the west."   He sees His people.. serving Him "in truth and righteousness."  He sees a city where there will be peace and plenty. Where His people will be a blessing to all the nations. 

So, " let your hands be strong, you who are listening.. "  The Lord says, " I have again purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear!" ( v15) 

"These are the things which you should do:  speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgement for peace in your gates. Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate, declares the Lord." ( v16-17) 

The Lord finally answers the question posed in chapter 7.. about the fasts.. "Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace." (v19) 

When we look back at God's word to Moses regarding the "appointed times".. the Law stated that the people would celebrate these festivals:   the Sabbath day.. kept every week.  The first month would be Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven weeks later, the second yearly festival would be Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks. The third festival would be held during the 7th month.. The day of Atonement, followed by the Feast of Tabernacles.  There were added fasts.. the fourth month commemorated the taking of Jerusalem by Babylon. The fifth month commemorated the destruction of the temple and the 10th month commemorated the siege of Jerusalem.  

The Lord wanted His people to remember what happened to them.. why they went into exile, why Jerusalem was ravaged those 70 years before . He also wanted them to remember the Day of Atonement.  A day of repentance, coming humbly before their God.  Remember.. and rejoice in the greatness of His salvation.  Remember, and choose truth and peace.. choose righteousness and holiness. 

Father in heaven, help us to also follow You commands.. to speak truth, to choose peace, to do good..to do what is just, and to have mercy. Help us to remember the greatness of Your salvation through Jesus Christ who paid our ransom and set us free from stubborn hearts and evil ways.  Draw us ever closer to Your heart.. that in all we do and all we say, we honor Your holy Name.  Amen. 

 Zechariah 7    This is two years after Zechariah delivered his first message. 

Some men from Bethel came to Jerusalem to pray. They had a question for the priests, "Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?"  The exile had lasted 70 years, just as Jeremiah had prophesied.  But, now the remnant had returned and the temple was under construction.. so, should the people observe the fast  that commemorated the burning of the temple and city by Nebuchadnezzar?

The Lord does not answer this question right away.  He has a few other things to say first, " Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted?'"  Neither of these fasts were part of God's appointed fasts or feasts.  Not only were they self-imposed, but the Lord rebukes them, saying, "And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?"   The Bible Knowledge commentary calls this a "rebuke.. against empty formalism". 

The problem.. the Lord says.. is the same one that their predecessors had before the exile.. they were practicing external "religious" rituals.. but their hearts were as "hard as flint".. just like their fathers.  Their inward spiritual lives.. their hearts... are what really needs changed, not their fasts... " This is what the Lord Almighty said, ' Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against one another."

The same message that was given in the days before the exile.. the same message that was ignored by hard hearted and stubborn people.. the same message that is given to those in Zechariah's day.. is the same message that we need to hear.  Are we practicing "empty formalism"?  Are the things we do in His Name really for Him?  Or are we doing these things for ourselves?  What is going on in our hearts?

The Lord was angry with Israel and sent them into exile. "When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen, says the Lord Almighty."  There is a vital lesson to be learned!  

Father in heaven, You see our hearts and You know our motives.  Expose those things that are done out of our self-imposed religious practices and forgive us for having hard hearts. Open our ears to hear You call.. that we might truly listen.. that we might humble ourselves in repentance.. that You might bring us into true worship and true service.  May we do justice, show mercy, have compassion, and help those in need. May we truly love our neighbors as ourselves.  Help us to be all that You desire us to be.. in Christ Jesus, by the power of His Spirit in us.  In His mighty name we pray. Amen. 

 Zechariah 4-6  Zechariah is "woken up" by an angel, but then given another vision.. he sees a gold lamp stand, 2 olive trees, a huge flying scroll, a woman in a bushel basket.. who is taken away by two other women with wings like storks, four chariots.. each with different colored horses, and finally Joshua the high priest seated on a throne with a silver and gold ornate crown on his head. 

Zechariah keeps asking questions... longing to know the meaning of all these things.. but seems to be left with more questions than answers.  However, there are some things that he does learn that are encouraging.  For instance, he is told that without a doubt Zerubbabel will complete the rebuilding of the Temple.  " 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit' says the Lord of hosts."  is the message for the governor. 

Zechariah is also shown that God's angels are at work throughout the land.. patrolling the earth.. doing whatever the Lord sends them to do.  He also is assured that God sees those who are stealing or lying.. and that He judges those who are wicked.  May we also be encouraged that God is still at work in our world.. even when we don't see it!

The final verse in chapter 6 seems to be the whole point of these visions... " And it will take place, if you completely obey the Lord your God."  The temple will be rebuilt.. the High Priest will reign.. the "Branch" will come.  There is a future for Israel.  God has a plan and He will accomplish what He chooses.  We cannot begin to understand all that is in the mind of our Lord.  But, we can trust Him.. and we must obey His Word. 

Father in heaven,  I don't understand all these symbols and descriptions.. but I do believe that You have a good plan and You will fulfill all of Your Words.  I thank You for sending Jesus, the righteous One who sits on the throne as King and as High Priest.  Thank You for the salvation that is complete in Christ. One day, we will understand what we only see partially now. Until that day, may we walk in truth and in integrity, in obedience to Your commands, to the glory of our Lord. Amen.