R³ Devotional - Day 263

Zechariah is a book so rich in picturesque prophecies about the Messiah. These were revealed to Zechariah, one of the prophets and a priest, that spoke to the Israelites that had been freed by the king of Babylon, after being 70 years in captivity.

Today’s chapters are a calling to repentance, going back to God, a call to rebuild the temple and the promise and hope of a future Mesiah. Perhaps it was written around 520 BC, yet its words, encouragement, and promises are so applicable to today’s world. God is still calling to repentance, and more than ever, we are sure that Jesus is coming back again soon.
 
Real: Life Principles 

• “Return to me…. And I will return to you” (Zech 1:3) God wants to be with us: God is inviting us to repent and run back to Him.
   
• We have a Merciful God: Through the whole Bible we can learn how God’s people chose to follow sin and how God several times extended mercy. In today’s verses we see God being merciful again and the promise of the construction of His temple.

• “Remove the filthy garments from him” …Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you (Zech 3:4) God can wash us clean: Chapter 3 gives us a clear image of how Satan is the accuser, yet God has the power to cleanse the filthiest one in the room and give a new purpose. 

Relevant: Life Applications

• We are living under God’s grace: Thanks God, He has given us His one and only Son to make us new. We don’t need to do anything to earn it, just repent and recognize Jesus as our one and only Savior. Is there something stopping you from giving your ALL to God? Don’t hesitate anymore, leave behind whatever is not letting you have a deep and close relationship with Him.
  
  
• We are new in Christ: Once we have accepted Jesus in our hearts, we are made new. He cleanses all our sins and gives us a new identity. Satan will certainly be in the look out to attack us, but we can trust the one Who overcame this world and is coming back again.
   

Ready: Life Actions

• Is there something or a sin holding you back from God? Confess and repent. Go back to the father TODAY!
  
  
• If you already are a believer, are growing daily in God’s word, attend and serve at church.  Please don’t stop there, share the Gospel to someone you know. Be intentional! Today’s verses show us how God can make us clean and justify us. Let’s share that gift with our friends, neighbors and family members.
  
  
• Pray for our world, our country and our community: Daily we can see how the time is getting close for Jesus to come back.