Many coaches say, “When your screen time is greater than your practice time, don’t be surprised when your bench time is greater than your on-court time.”
You reap what you sow, and you get more of what you prioritize.
This was one of the key messages that God sent through Zechariah: Return to God, seek God, and prioritize God and his instructions.
Zechariah was a prophet when the Israelites came out of Babylonian captivity, and in his book, he explained how Israel was exiled for its bad choices and sinful practices. Zechariah also promised that God would eventually transform his people and usher in a new age of holiness throughout the earth.
When the Israelites came back from exile, God told them to rebuild the temple, saying in Zechariah 1:2-6:
“The Lord was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”
The only thing that lasts forever is God and His Word, so read it, listen to it, and study it and those good choices will lead to blessings.
And no matter what we have done or what is going on around us, we can always turn to God and make the next, best choice.
Zechariah 1:17 says:
“Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”
When we seek God first and make Him our top priority, we can gain comfort and peace in God and can overflow with prosperity, but it won’t be easy - especially if we try to lean on our own strength and own understanding. In Zechariah 4:6, it says:
“So 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 Almighty.”
To really become the people we want to become, we have to learn how to lean on God, not our own knowledge and strength. When we do, we shall again overflow with prosperity,
SOMETHING(s) TO THINK ABOUT
1 - What is your biggest takeaway from Zechariah’s story?
2 - What is one challenge or doubt that you are currently facing?
3 - How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance?
4 - In what ways can you encourage others who may be feeling discouraged?
My prayer:
Our, Father. Thank you for all the blessings you have given me. As I go through the good times and the hard times, please help remind me to prioritize you and keep you first in everything I do. When times are good, please help me to remember to give you the praise, and when things aren't, please help me to remember to seek you so that I can turn things around. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.
For a printable PDF version of this post, click here: Zechariah: Prioritize God
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