Main Idea: God’s future plans are always possible with Him.
A Look at the Text:
While yesterday’s chapter ended with a remembrance of the exile and its cause, today’s text transitions to a future hope.
Yes, God had brought judgment upon Judah, but He still loved them. He was jealous for them with great jealousy (Zech. 8:2). He would dwell amongst them (Zech. 8:3). A day of peace was on the horizon when the elderly would sit in the streets of Jerusalem and watch children playing (Zech. 8:4-5).
At the time, though, that was a pretty ambitious vision.
It was seemingly impossible to the remnant of people there, but that didn’t mean that it was impossible with the Lord of Hosts (Zech. 8:6). He promised He would deliver His people and bring them back (Zech. 8:7-8). A day was coming when they would be able to sow in peace and would reap great harvests again (Zech. 8:12).
As such, in the present, their hands should be strong (Zech. 8:9,13). They should take heart, for just as God had formerly purposed disaster, so now He was purposing to do good to them (Zech. 8:14-15).
Even more, a time was coming when nations would come into Jerusalem to seek the Lord of hosts, for they would know that He dwells amongst His people (Zech. 8:20-23).
Bringing it Home:
To a bunch of returned exiles, God’s plans for the future seemed a bit too grand. Israel being regathered and nations coming into Jerusalem, knowing that Yahweh had made His abode there, it all seemed too good to be true.
But God was jealous for Jerusalem.
The same God who sovereignly raised up the Babylonians to bring about their captivity, and raised up the Persians to send them home, could certainly fulfil His future plans too. God’s promises might seem impossible to people, but there is nothing that is too hard for the Lord of Hosts, the God who commands the armies of heaven.
At the present, we live in an entirely different era, but we still await the fulfillment of various promises from the same God. This in mind, let us be encouraged that nothing is too hard for Him.
While we live in a sin-stained and broken world, the idea of the wolf and lamb lying down together seems pretty far off. The assurance that one day God will wipe away every tear requires great faith for those who are presently crying.
However, our faith cannot depend upon human reason but must be rooted in the faithful nature and power of the Promiser.
So then let us take heart today that the same God who has been making promises and keeping them for millennia will continue to do so. He will bring His purposes in all of creation to pass.
It might seem impossible in the present, but nothing is impossible with God.
Challenge:
Does human reason and ability ever hinder my faith?