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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 21 December 2023:
Zechariah 8:16, 17 — Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.
Honesty is critically important to God. God hates all forms of deceit. God’s people are expected to have unimpeachable integrity. As noted above, the first level of deception starts with self-deception, motivated by pride and/or insecurity. Humility comes before honor.
Zechariah 8:19 – Therefore love truth and peace.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress… and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:9, 10)…. and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city (Zechariah 8:3)…. Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord (Zechariah 8:16, 17)…. Therefore love truth and peace.’” (Zechariah 8:19)
When the people asked the Lord how they should worship Him he responded with the above verses. God’s response here is a shorter version of His response in Isaiah 58 – an entire chapter worthy of regular review: “For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please… You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?”
God desires worship that is true not just idle words. Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth…. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth (John 4:23, 24; 16:13).” We are called to worship the Lord and glorify God every day with our entire selves — “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).” We are called to mirror as best we can the character of Christ, and Revelation today reveals that he is called “Faithful and True.” Live out fidelity and truthfulness for the glory of God.
“Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great! Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!”
Zechariah 8:23 – Thus says the Lord of hosts: 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.”
God empowers you with the Holy Spirit so that others will recognize His power in you and seek Him too. God’s presence in your life should be obvious to others. God’s intent is to draw you closer to Him more and more each day that you might have the fullness of joy in Him; but it’s not just about you. He intends for your life to be a beacon to people to all people, from every tribe. You were born again into a new family in Christ and also into a mission. Are people drawn to you because they sense God’s presence in your life? And when people come to you, do you deny self and only point to Christ?
Revelation 16:6 — For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets.
God allows the persecution of His people that sinners might come either to repentance or judgment. God’s people are perfectly loved and blessed by God nonetheless. Our reward is not prosperity on earth; our reward is Him.
Revelation 16:7 – And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”
God’s judging acts are true to His character and promises, and righteous in restoring justice.
Revelation 16:10, 11 — People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.
The unrepentant sinner receives the consequences of his sins and blames God.
Revelation 16:12-16 – The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
God prepares the way for the final battle in the Valley of Megiddo.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 21 December 2023: Practice total mercy, grace, forgiveness, peace, and love today because that is what you have received and continue to receive through Jesus. Worship Jesus today and show your gratitude to Him today in how you treat the sinners who offend you today. Deny yourself, take up your cross in relationships today, and truly follow the example of Jesus. Be an agent of love, and draw others towards the source of love, Jesus. This is your calling and purpose. (Zech 7:5, 9, 10; Zech 8:16, 17)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 