IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Let Your Hands Be Strong

Date: Oct. 24, 2024

Passage

Zechariah 8:1-13 (ESV)

And the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the LORD of hosts? Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in, for I set every man against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of hosts. 12 For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13 And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 8:13

And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

The LORD Almighty gave his people a glorious vision of the future of Jerusalem. The LORD burned with jealousy for his people. God promised that he would return to and dwell in Jerusalem. Though Jerusalem had not yet been restored, God said that she would one day be called the Faithful City, the mountain of the LORD Almighty, and the Holy Mountain. Jerusalem will be filled with old men and women sitting in the streets. Children will happily play again in the streets. God promised future joy, peace, and prosperity. The land will be very fruitful. (12). Though God’s people had been scattered to many countries, God will bring them back to Jerusalem. God will be their faithful and righteous God (8) and make them a blessing (13).

This vision might seem too fantastic to believe given their present reality, but it was not too hard for God (6). With this vision, God encouraged his people to let their hands be strong and rebuild the temple. How does God’s glorious vision of his kingdom (Rev 21-22) strengthen you to take up his work? Will the hope of a resurrection body and eternal life in God’s kingdom inspire you to build up Jesus’ church?

Prayer: Father, thank you for your glorious vision and your promises. Strengthen my hands to carry out your work.

One Word: Strengthened by God’s vision and promises

Daily Bread

Jacob’s Blessings and Prophecies

Genesis 49:1-28

Key Verse: 49:10

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