Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Friday after Jubilate

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Zechariah 2:1-13 (NKJV)

1 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 So I said, “Where are you going?”

And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”

3 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, 4 who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. 5 For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'”

6 “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. 7 “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.”

8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.

10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. 11 “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 12 And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”

Devotion

God speaks comfort to us in His Word when He assures us that He cares for His people. We live in a world that is difficult and unsettled, regardless of the time and place. Men will always be at war with God and with each other until the end of the age. The outward peace and prosperity that comes to various kingdoms and societies is truly a blessing from the Lord, but it is not the greater peace that we have with His kingdom and presence.

Our Lord Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (verse 33). In Him, we have all our provision and the things that truly make for peace. We naturally are concerned about what will happen in the place we live: Will we be safe? Will there be enough food? But God assures us that He will take care of His people. He gives us good things and protection in this present life, but even if such things are taken from us, He has also provided for the greatest thing in our spiritual life. He has given us forgiveness, reconciled us to Himself, and promised us life everlasting in paradise and the resurrection through Jesus Christ crucified.

We pray: Lord God, heavenly Father, keep us safe and content in the surety of Your Word. By Your Spirit, build our thanks for the good things You give us now, and trust in the greater things that will be revealed in the life of the world to come in the full glory of Your Son, our Lord, Christ Jesus. Amen.

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