“Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.
“Let your hands be strong… For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. As you have been a byword of cursing among the nations,.. so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.
“As I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent,.. so again have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem…
“The fast[s] shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.
“Peoples shall yet come,.. of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts and to entreat the favor of the Lord… In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” Zechariah 8:7-9a, 12-15,19-23
Chosen. Saved. Disciplined. Restored. To be a blessing. God’s people had known the calling of God to be His own, divine deliverance from slavery, the help of the Lord through wandering, the hope of promise in settling in the land, the angst of rebellion and pain of judgment. By grace and in much mercy, the Lord pledged once again to return them from scattered exile and renew them with goodness and abounding joy. God had intended from the start that they bring blessing to the nations, and He would see that initiative through. (Genesis 12:1-3)
From the beginning, God’s children have been caught up in the flow of His kingdom design. He has placed us on this earth- in our homes, workplaces, communities, and churches- not simply to pass days as a byword, but to be a blessing. He’s made us to build. Be. Possess. Produce. To be a blessing. He’s called us to speak. Judge. Rejoice. Love. To be a blessing. In faithfulness and righteousness, His purpose for us is in all aspects of life is to bless His world with goodness, peace, joy, and righteousness. (Acts 20:35; Romans 14:7; Colossians 3:23-24)
Yet, seasons include hardship, antagonism, persecution, and scattering. These may seem the antithesis to what we are to build. God in grace enriches us through stresses, sorrow, and challenges to equip us to enrich others. Can we own this perspective, and appreciate meaning in difficulties and depth in our dependence on and communion with God?
How have God’s promises given hope and illumined our way in hard times? How have we been able to bless others enduring similar trials? Whom might we bless today with encouragement, wisdom, and truth, pointing them to Christ? (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
Lord, may I so bless others that they recognize and love You.
As the rain and snow 