"JOY in Serving the KING !"

 

Zechariah 8:18-23 "And the WORD of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying, thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that GOD is with you."

     The LORD's fourth message to the remnant completes the first of two divisions within the book of Zechariah. The three main points of these four messages from GOD that followed the remnant's question put to Zechariah in verse three of chapter seven are as follows: 

(1) Rebuke for their disobedience.

(2) Encouragement for their present work.

(3) Expectation of the glorious future millennial kingdom.

The remnant needed to understand that GOD's work through them would not progress, nor would HIS purposes be accomplished until HE first chastened and refined them. The same is true for us today ! The LORD only uses pure vessels whose hearts are right and who separate from all wickedness (including false teaching, see 2nd.Timothy 2:15-21).

     The LORD reminded the remnant that if they did HIS work and served HIM with a renewed heart, they would experience a genuine joy in their fasts and feasts (their worship) that would replace the emptiness and dissatisfaction that came when they neglected GOD's will and lived only for themselves (v.19 cf. Haggai 1:1-6). This theme of joy in serving the LORD was applicable both to the remnant in Zechariah's time as well as to those who will one day serve in the kingdom of CHRIST when HE returns to reign over the Earth in "power and great glory" (Matthew 24:29-31 pictured above). At that time, all who come through the Great Tribulation will have renewed hearts and will clamor for the blessed opportunity to go to Jerusalem to worship JESUS CHRIST the KING (vv.20-23 cf.14:16-17; Isaiah 66:23 pictured above). What a joyous time that will be ! But remember, we can serve our LORD in like spirit today, for joy is integrally linked to obedient heartfelt service. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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