Neville Turley

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”  Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

Things happen in our life which we cannot understand and may lead to a crisis in our faith. 

It is then that we need to remember the words in Isaiah:  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)

We do not think like God nor does God explain his every command to us, but from Genesis to Revelations every promise he makes to us is coupled with an instruction.

In our verse for today a divine promise is given through the prophet Zechariah. He prophesised from 520 to 518 BC when many Jews were returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple. Apart from his prophesies not much is known about him.  Jesus does tell us that he was murdered in the temple. (Matthew 23:35)

We do know that when they returned, the exiles started dragging their feet about rebuilding the temple. (Haggai 1)  Zechariah warned them to put God first and to be obedient to him.  It is advice that we should also follow for it contains within it a wonderful promise of assurance from God.

“Return to me and I will return to you.”

There are Christians who, when bad things happen to them or those they love, they feel let down by God and reject him.  Others grow complacent in their faith and lose the zeal which they once had.  Some Christians have fallen victim to temptation.  They know they have messed up badly and believe God will never forgive them.’

It is true that God will judge each and every one of us one day but that time is not yet.  No matter what your spiritual condition may be.  No one on earth is beyond God’s grace.  There is still time to return to him.  If we do so in true repentance we have his promise that he will return to us.  What a merciful loving God we serve.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, no matter what our spiritual condition is, may the Holy Spirit enable us to submit to you.  Amen