August 26, 2026 - Zechariah 1-6

The Lord was not happy with his people during the time of Zechariah.  They had disobeyed and had turned from him.  Yet, the Lord’s grace comes through once again:  “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.  And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst” (2:4,5).

Also, this thought.  The people had begun the temple, had laid its foundation, but became discouraged because their efforts seemed small and insignificant compared to Solomon’s temple.  The Lord said to them:  “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it . . . For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubabbel” (4:9-10).  That is, the plumb line will be used to put up the walls.  The new temple will rise up on its foundation and will be completed.  The Lord will do this through his people.  But, ultimately, it is God’s doing:   “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” (4:6).  And so, we follow on after our God, knowing that he will accomplish all his purposes.

Lead on, O King eternal;

we follow, not with fears,

for gladness breaks like morning

where’er your face appears.

Your cross is lifted o’er us,

we journey in its light;

the crown awaits the conquest;

lead on, O God of might.   -- Ernest W. Shurtleff (1887)