Possibilities of Grace

Daily Reading: Zechariah 1-2

Scripture Focus: 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.(Zechariah 2.4b-5)

Devotional Thought: The Jewish people were in exile and Jerusalem was in ruins, but the prophet saw something different. Zechariah saw the possibilities of grace. In the future formed by God’s grace, Jerusalem would be an un-walled city - not only because the multitude of her population could not be contained, but also because God himself shall be a wall about her.

God was to be “a wall of fire all around… and the glory in her midst.” God himself would fill and protect the city. Zechariah used the image of hunters who would build campfires all about themselves to keep the wild beasts away. And not only fire surrounding and protecting, God was the warm glow of campfires within, inviting the poor wanderer home.

We can go to the New Testament to understand the full meaning of this prophecy. Zechariah saw “the Jerusalem which is above” (Galatians 4.26), which is described in Revelation 7.9: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”

Zechariah could not contain his joy and optimism: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord” (Zechariah 2.10).

Are you in exile? Does your life seem to be in ruins? Consider the possibilities of grace. Perhaps you, too, will burst into song.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the possibilities of grace in my life and in the lives of those I love. Help me to "live into" those glorious possibilities! Through Jesus Christ my Lord, amen.

Psalm of the Day: 145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes. 146 I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. 148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. 149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life. 150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. 151 But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true. 152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. (Psalms 119:145-152)