Lord, we have been faithful in returning, but look at this mess! Seventy years, Lord, perhaps it would be better if there was nothing left.
The Lord will again choose Jerusalem to be his special city. Judah will be his share of the holy land.
Zechariah 2: 12 ERV
Lord, thank you for calling me to be your prophet, and part-time priest. I love you and I love the work you've called me to. That work keeps me pretty busy. Are you sure you want me to be your contractor, too?
8 The Lord’s message to me also said, 9 “Zerubbabel will lay the foundations for my Temple, and he will finish building it. Then you will know that the Lord All-Powerful sent me to you people. 10 People will not be ashamed of the small beginnings, and they will be very happy when they see Zerubbabel with the plumb line,[b] measuring and checking the finished building...
Zechariah 4: 8-10a ERV
Zerubbabel is a good guy, Lord, and he knows what he's doing, but where are we going to get the manpower to get the job done?
People living far away will come and build the Lord’s Temple. Then you will know for sure that the Lord All-Powerful sent me to you people. All these things will happen if you do what the Lord your God says.
Zechariah 6:15 ERV
Lord, our forefathers sinned against you, and you sent them into exile. And yet...and yet you have brought us back.
14 The Lord All-Powerful says, “Your ancestors made me angry, so I decided to destroy them... And in the same way I have decided to be good to Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid! 16 But you must do this: Tell the truth to your neighbors. When you make decisions in your cities, be fair and do what is right. Do what brings peace. 17 Don’t make secret plans to hurt your neighbors. Don’t make false promises. You must not enjoy doing these things, because I hate them!” This is what the Lord said.
Zechariah 8: 14, 16-17 ERV
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Dear Reader, it boggles my mind to try to understand how God can be both just and gracious. The children of Israel flat out defied God, and ended up in exile. God don't play, people!
I've been exile. Have you? The worst part was being separated from my Heavenly Father. Just when I thought I would surely perish, He breached my walls of sorrow with His unending forgiveness and grace.
I've been exile. Have you? The worst part was being separated from my Heavenly Father. Just when I thought I would surely perish, He breached my walls of sorrow with His unending forgiveness and grace.
(H)e said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 RSV
Dear Reader, wherever you are in your faith journey, in exile, on the road back, or sitting in God's sanctuary, I pray for His grace to overwhelm you.
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