9On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.
10"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
11On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
- P137
The Lord speaks a prophecy concerning Israel. He will make Jerusalem a cupthat sends the surrounding peoples reeling. The city will become an immov-able rock. The Lord will strike nations with panic and protect the people ofJudah. He will pour a spirit of grace over them and they will mourn the onethey have pierced. - P137
God reveals that all the nations of the earth will one day gather against Jerusalem, but His people will be an immovable rock, impervious to any who try to destroy it. The phrase "on that day" is repeated several times, emphasizing the significance of the war and the inevitability that it will indeed take place. While the exact date is unknown, what is certain is God’s ultimate victory over the enemies of His people. - P138
In our own lives, we may experience difficulties that make us eager for a day of victory. We may face crippling physical, relational, and emotional struggles, but as we hold on to the victory of the cross, we are assured that, one day, we will be victorious over all because of Christ.- P138
Zechariah continues with a shocking development in his prophecy. A spiritof grace and supplication will be upon the house of David and the inhab-itants of Jerusalem, but a man will be pierced and killed, causing grief andmourning that will be as painful as mourning for an only child. - P138
Unexpectedly, God shares that the person being pierced will be Himself. Throughthispassage, we continue to see the faithfulness of God as, many years later,
this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is mourned for a time, but wenow celebrate and worship Him because He has claimed victory over deathfor us. - P138
Let us recognize the faithfulness and triumph of Jesus and live fullydevoted to Him.- P138
From a Christian perspective, God is certainly our future, but He is alsomost certainly our present. When Jesus promises eternal life, He meansit not only in quantity of time but also in quality of relationship. We arecommitted in faithfulness to Him forever. We also acknowledge that thereis hope. We hope for a better future. Though we may experience sufferingnow, we look to Jesus, who experienced extreme suffering and death for usand remember that His victory on the cross gives us hope. We look forwardto a future with Him.
- P139
The comedian shared about self-confidence coming not from self-affirmations but from demonstrating to the world that we are who we say we are.
This is what Jesus has done. He claimed to be the Son of God and provedthis to the world with His death and resurrection. Let us continue to becommitted to Him and look to Him as our ultimate hope.- P139
Heavenly Father, from the beginning, You have demonstrated Your faithfulness to fulfill Your words to Your people. I honor, worship, and celebrate You for all You have done so that Your people could be assured of victory in You. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen.- P139
