December 21

Zechariah 1:1-21, Revelation 12:1-17, Psalm 140:1-13, Proverbs 30:17

Pray: Dear Lord, we often think that we want more justice in our world where You right every wrong. This is appealing until our sin comes before You. Then we ask for grace instead of justice. We begin today by thanking You that You are a God of justice who cannot allow sin to go unpunished, yet You are also gracious and Your grace is extended to us who will receive it and apply grace to our lives. Thank You, oh God.

Read: As we read Zechariah and Revelation we are reminded that God is a just God and the story of the four Blacksmiths who took out the Four Horns for they had persecuted and divided Judah and Jerusalem. God’s justice prevails and He rights the wrongs. Likewise, there is a battle in heaven and Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven and are defeated by “the blood of the Lamb”. This was a cosmic clash and the good news is that God’s might prevailed. God has the power to protect us, to defeat that which seeks to destroy us.

Edify: Perhaps you have never been in a fist fight, a physical altercation, much less a battle. Yet, the words of the Psalmist are still as sobering for each of us as he declares the danger of the person who wishes to do us harm, “Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips.” (vs. 3) To be hurt by the gossip, the lash of lies or the false accusations of a faithless foe. We have each been hurt by painful words. And, if we were to be honest, we have said some things which have offended others as well. Proverbs tells us that words can bring life and words can bring death. We must be careful to use our words to give life not destroy it.

Practice: Respect of spiritual authority begins in the home. Some parents are very intentional in demanding respect from their children. I say demand, because it has to be intentional. Respect has to be intentionally lifted up as a part of the DNA of a home. It can’t be some afterthought or it will never be observed. Likewise, we are called to respect God and spiritual overseers as mentioned in Romans 13. Here the writer of Proverbs stresses the vital importance of a person respecting their parents. Not to mock the father of the home nor disregard the instruction of the mother. Why this is such a valuable and life-changing principle is that Proverbs also speaks to the fact that a person will not be successful in life if she or he is not willing to receive instruction and healthy critique. When we are open to mentoring and getting honest feedback, then we will be stronger for it. When we apply the truth we receive, we have opportunity to grow. Are you open now for healthy feedback? Ask someone you trust, “If you had one prayer for me—what would it be for me to improve?”