21st Dec

2 Chronicles 25     Zechariah 8     Revelation 12     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly – 2 Chr 25:2

Do you sometimes wonder what the summary statement of your life might look like? I am sure most of us would like to fall into the category of having done what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but what might doing right wholeheartedly mean?

God never does anything half-heartedly, the entire Bible testifies to this. In Zech 8 the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion. I am burning with jealousy for her.” We then read about his plan to restore his relationship with Zion and about all the blessings he will bring to Jerusalem, which are in accordance with the covenant he made with Moses (Lev 26:3).

However, God’s wholehearted approach to us goes even further: in order to redeem his people he does what he would never ask of anyone else: he sacrifices his only son, Jesus Christ, whose blood seals a new covenant with us (Jer 31:31-34; Luke 22:20). Also, through Jesus’ death on the cross our enemy, Satan, is defeated. In Rev 12 we read what will happen next: he will be hurled to earth, where he will unleash a period of final hostility towards the people of God (Rev 12:12), before he is finally thrown in the lake of burning sulphur (Rev 20:10).

God is always interested in our hearts, not our outside appearance (Hos 6:6). Doing something wholeheartedly means willingly, not forced. In his letter to the Romans Paul writes that simply observing the law doesn’t make anyone righteous in God’s sight, it only makes us aware of sin (Ro 3:20). In contrast, there is a righteousness from God which doesn’t come from obeying the law, but which “comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (v22). Wholeheartedly obeying Christ’s teaching means we are set free from sin and become willing servants (‘slaves’) to righteousness (Ro 6:17-18).

Peter further tells us what we have to do, to receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pe1:3-11): “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love”.  As we learnt in the Freedom in Christ course: God’s goal for our life, which can never be blocked, is for our character to become like Christ’s.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you have predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of your Son (Ro 8:29). Help us to wholeheartedly pursue your goal for our lives. Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)

20th Dec

2 Chronicles 22-23     Zechariah 7     Revelation 11     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

In your hearts do not think evil of each other – Zech 7:9

Who doesn’t love watching an exciting film with villains, secret plots, fight scenes, surprising twists and a triumphant hero in the end? It is possible to visualise the past historic events of 2 Chr 22-23 and the future events of Rev 11 like an action movie; however there is another type of very real drama constantly taking place, often invisible to others, but never to God: the attitudes and emotions inside our hearts.

In Zech 7 the people ask whether they should continue fasting in the fifth month, as they have done for the past seventy years in commemoration of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. God responds by pointing out that he is actually more interested in true justice, mercy, compassion and protection of the weak. He closes saying “In your hearts do not think evil of each other”. (Zech 7:9)

The apostle John wrote that we have been told from the beginning that we should love one another and goes on to explain: “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him” (1 Jn 3:14).

It is difficult to hide a negative attitude towards another person. In Matt 15:18-19 Jesus tells us that the things coming out of the mouth come from the heart. Our words can be very powerful to the point of life or death (Prov 18:21). It doesn’t necessarily have to be open hostility, but even nuances in tone and expression can be equally devastating.

What is our attitude? Do we treat our fellow human beings with true justice? Is Christ Church a place where mercy and genuine compassion are shown to one another? Is there anyone we are thinking evil of in our hearts?

We all know that it is much easier to engage in religious activities such as the fasting in Zech 7, rather than to change attitudes in our heart. Luckily however, we don’t have to rely on ourselves to deal with this problem: through the blood of Jesus and with a sincere heart we are able to draw near to God and have our hearts cleansed (Heb 10:19-22).

Father God, we are sorry if darkness in our hearts has caused harm through careless words. Please cleanse our hearts from any evil thoughts. Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)

19th Dec

2 Chronicles 21     Zechariah 6     Revelation 10     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Here is the man – Zech 6:12

Do you get excited reading all the prophesies regarding the Messiah and marvel at God’s ways? In Zechariah 6 we read a further key prophecy about him: he would be a man who would build the temple of the Lord, clothed in majesty, ruling on the throne, a priest. “Here is the man” are also the words Pilate uses when Jesus comes out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, which the soldiers had put on him. (John 19:5). Jesus is then condemned to be crucified.

Do you sometimes wonder why God allows certain things to happen? After Jehoshaphat’s death (2 Chr 21) his son Jehoram becomes king of Judah and we read that he did evil, but that the Lord was nevertheless not willing to destroy the house of David. We are told that this was because he had promised that there would always be a descendant of David on the throne; however, it also fulfilled God’s long term purpose, the coming of the Messiah from the line of David, Jesus Christ (Mt 1:8), for our salvation.

In Revelation 10 John is told by the angel to “take and eat” the little scroll. “It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” (Rev 10:9). This is reminiscent of Jesus’ command at the last supper: Take and eat (Mat 26:26). Both appeal to us to grasp and digest, to accept and understand the good news of God’s eternal purpose of salvation, but also the bad news of the suffering involved, for Jesus and for us, his followers.

Jesus tells us that we must pick up our cross to follow him (Mt 10:38, Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23, Lk 14:27). What does your cross look like?

Do you ever imagine what it must be like to be persecuted for being a follower of Jesus? Revelation was written to encourage early Christians who were faced with severe persecution and martyrdom for resisting to worship Caesar. Today, worldwide about 630 million Christians suffer some form of persecution, ranging from discrimination in areas such as employment and housing, to severe threats of beating, imprisonment, torture and murder (internet sources). An estimated 160,000 Christian men, women and children are martyred every year, which is about one every 4 minutes. However, there are estimates that every day worldwide 86,000 new believers come to Christ.

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your eternal plan of salvation. Thank you that in all things you work for the good of those who love you (Rom 8:28). Help us to carry our cross for you. Help us to remember our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters (Heb 13:3). Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)

18th Dec

2 Chronicles 19-20     Zechariah 5     Revelation 9     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you – 2 Chr 20:12

Have you faced a situation in which you felt completely helpless? In 2 Chr 20 we read how Jehoshaphat is informed about the imminent threat from a vast army alliance. He is alarmed, but responds in faith and with all his people seeks the Lord. God encourages them with a message of great hope and, as they go into battle singing and praising God, miraculously the enemy army destroys itself. However, God’s blessing doesn’t stop there: the men of Judah carry off all the plunder, return home joyfully and continue to live in peace since no-one dares to attack them anymore.

Compare this to the battle in chapter 18. What has changed? Jehoshaphat was told in chapter 19 that the wrath of God was upon him, due to helping those who hate the Lord. However, in the same message he is commended for having set his heart on seeking God (2 Chr 19:3). Jehoshaphat responds to this rebuke by working to turn his people back to the Lord: he goes out among them and appoints judges and other officials, warning them that they must serve wholeheartedly in the fear of God and not sin against the Lord. Jehoshaphat repents and keeps his eyes on God.

How do we respond to warnings? The Bible is full of them, such as the ones we read about in Zech 5 against theft, swearing falsely and wickedness. In Rev 9 we read on about events of God’s final judgement at the end times, and yet, among all the destruction and utter despair, repentance is still an option, albeit tragically not taken up.

Heavenly Father, please help us to always keep our eyes on you. Guide us to repentance in your love (Rev 3:19-20). Thank you, that in every trouble we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ (Rom 8:37). Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)

17th Dec

2 Chronicles 18     Zechariah 4     Revelation 8     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit – Zech 4:6

Reading prophetic and apocalyptic Scripture like Zechariah and Revelation is a challenge for me. The symbolism can be difficult to understand and the content is often terrifying, which can be discouraging. However, the purpose of these books was exactly the opposite, to encourage God’s people, the post-exilic people of Judah through Zechariah and the early persecuted Christians with Revelation. The repetitive accounts of the exploits of the kings of Judah and Israel can seem equally irrelevant for our lives.

We read in 2 Chr 18 how Jehoshaphat agrees to support Ahab king of Israel in a military campaign. However he doesn’t consult God before making this decision, and although he remembers to seek the council of the Lord afterwards, he then goes on to ignore Micaiah’s prophetic message.

Most of us are not in a position to enter into military alliances, we haven’t just returned from exile and we don’t experience severe persecution, but as always there are important messages for us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, God will speak to us through these ancient texts, if we let him.

Do we consult God before or after we make an important decision? Do we follow God’s advice or ignore it?

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zech 4:6) is God’s message to Zerubabbel, who is to rebuild the temple. In which areas are we trying to succeed in our own strength, rather than by God’s Spirit?

“The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God” (Rev 8:4). Our prayers matter to God, even (or especially) in situations which are outside our control. They are a precious offering, like incense, pleasing to God.

Gracious God, please help us to always seek and follow your counsel before making important decisions. Help us to rely on you, rather than our own strength. Help us to pray in your Spirit (Rom 8:26). Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)

16th Dec

2 Chronicles 17     Zechariah 3     Revelation 7     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

I will remove the sin of this land in a single day – Zech 3:9

We are frequently reminded in the Bible that walking in the ways of the Lord brings blessings and sin brings condemnation. The Chronicler has a special interest in this theme of retribution and in 2 Chr 17 we read how Jehoshaphat was richly rewarded for his obedience to God; however, we know that he experienced consequences of sin too.

In our passage from Zechariah today we read about a vision in which the Lord shows us that through Christ he will remove the sin of the land in a single day, just like taking off filthy clothes and replacing them with rich garments. This is associated with establishment of peace and prosperity, as shown in the proverbial picture of sitting under a vine with neighbours.

The day when sin is removed is Good Friday, but may also be a reference to Christ’s second coming, which we learn more about in Revelation. In Rev 7 John records another vision with an image of clothing: multitudes wearing robes, which were washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.

Have you noticed? God doesn’t just clean our filthy clothes, he gives us rich garments. He doesn’t just remove our sins; he also blesses us richly in our lives with peace, prosperity and fellowship.

It is extraordinary that we can think of ourselves as clothed in clean rich garments. However, we mustn’t forget the ultimate purpose and promise (Rev7:15): because Christ removed our sins, we are before the throne, serving God, who will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Thank you God, that through Jesus Christ we stand before you clothed in salvation and righteousness (Isa 61:10). Help us to serve you in the knowledge of all your blessings now and those to come. Amen.

(friend of Christ Church)

15th Dec

2 Chronicles 16     Zechariah 2     Revelation 6     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Yesterday in 2 Chronicles we read about King Asa of Judah who (in the parlance of 1066 and All That), was a ‘good king’. Not only did he do what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Chronicles 14:2), but, when it came to the crunch in a crucial battle with the Cushites, Asa calls upon the Lord – relying upon Him to defeat the enemy (2 Chronicles 14:11-13).

However in today’s reading it all goes wrong. This time the military threat comes from Baasha king of Israel, and instead of turning to the Lord as he did before, Asa puts his faith in a deal with Ben-Hadrad of Aram: in exchange for a pile of treasures Ben-Hadrad agrees to switch sides. Baasha backs off and the situation is (apparently) resolved. God, however, is not pleased – he sends Hanani the seer to chastise Asa for putting his faith in his own resources instead of relying on the Lord as he did during the Cushite episode. Asa responds by going further off the rails – imprisoning Hanani and oppressing his people. The next time Asa gets into difficulty – this time with some sort of foot disease - he again refuses to rely on the Lord, turning to his doctors instead – yet another dumb move! Two years later he’s dead.

This is a hard lesson in the dangers of taking our relationship with God for granted. No matter how strong our faith in Him today, it is all too easy to succumb to the temptation to switch our allegiance of faith to the resources of ourselves or of the world. 

(member of the congregation)