As we continue this study of the Dead Sea scrolls, authorities announced the discovery of several more scrolls as their extensive search for more hidden caves and treasures continues. Given the “coincidence” of the events described in previous devotionals, God’s providential involvement in these developments becomes clear. His Word tells us what is about to happen, and discoveries of Biblical texts seem directly related to modern prophetic fulfillment.
A few years ago, two passages of scripture were discovered. The first was this passage from the prophet Zechariah; “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, render true and perfect justice in your gates. And do not contrive evil against one another, and do not love perjury, because all those are things that I hate—declares the Lord.” [Zechariah 8:16-17]
This passage’s emphasis on speaking truth and establishing justice (“mishpat” in Hebrew) is so powerfully relevant for Israel and the world.
If you remember, it was just a few months later that Israel was rocked by massive protests as the nation became deeply divided over judicial reform. Many protesters across the country voiced their concerns about the proper administration of justice.
In recent years, we’ve witnessed increasing deception from governmental narratives and injustice through mandates and new laws. Truth and justice for all people are being threatened like never before. Once again, we can see the relevance of God’s warnings to the world about the impending judgment on lies and injustice!
The second portion of this passage refers to the Messianic age, or what some would term the Millennial Kingdom. Zechariah 8:19 speaks of the fasts performed in various months due to past judgments, which will become “seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts.” During this time, the Lord will rule from Jerusalem, and the nations will all be coming to seek Him! [Zechariah 8:22]
Trouble is increasing, perhaps the greatest in history, but the Kingdom of God is at the door … it’s not time to fret or be paralyzed with fear! God is warning the nations, but He is also encouraging us, for soon, our fasts will become feasts of joy!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]F.B. Meyer once said, “The education of our faith is incomplete [till] we learn that God’s providence works through loss…that there’s a ministry to us through the failure and fading of things. The dwindling brook where Elijah sat is a picture of our lives.
Most people reading this passage tend to focus in on the fruit that is produced. Okay…But a closer look will reveal that the Lord is really focusing on the tree. The fruit merely demonstrates the quality of the tree. We have all encountered this: there are trees whose fruit is healthy and delicious, and there are trees whose fruit is scarcely edible, or even useless.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on in every person. He said, “My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’. One is evil — it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good…
There’s an interesting story about the great English actor, Macready. A respected preacher once asked him, “I wish you would explain something to me.”
We live in a day and age that everywhere we turn, there’s a “self-help” theory. Books, videos and dvds, websites, world-renown speakers, you name it — all dedicated to helping us “feel good about ourselves”. Yet somehow, still many of us struggle with self-consciousness, even as Christians!
Early in the last century, sculptor Gutzon Borglum gazed at the cliffs of South Dakota’s Black Hills. As any great artist would, He saw what no one else could the sculpted faces of US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. After 14 years, he finally completed his project — Mount Rushmore.
Counselors, encouragers, and people who offer care to others often encounter those whose past failures threaten to define them and hinder their development, healing, and sanctification. Our enemy capitalizes on our failures and regrets, pressing home the current influence of what we could have, would have, or should have done, if only we were wiser, more courageous, honest, or godly.