DCLM Higher Everyday 1 March 2024 — Let Your Hands Be Strong – Part 1
Topic: Let Your Hands Be Strong – Part 1
Text: Zechariah 8:1-12
1Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
2Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
4Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
5And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
6Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;
8And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
9Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
10For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.
11But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.
12For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.
Key Verse: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built” (Zechariah 8:9).
Message
The gospel outreach to Filey (England) in the early days of the Methodists was difficult because several preachers sent there failed one after the other. Being hopeless, the mission council thought of abandoning it. Just then a burdened young man volunteered to go. He was John Oxtoby, nick-named, ‘Praying Johnny’ by those who knew his prayer power. As John ascended the hill between Muston and Filey and viewed the community, he knelt under a hedge and prayed for several hours. Assured of breakthrough, he entered with a message, “Turn to the Lord and seek salvation.” A dozen of hardened sinners wept and repented. That was the beginning of his exploits.
In our text, God revealed the glory He would make of Jerusalem that was then desolate with her people scattered among other nations. All that God expected from Israel was boldness to forsake the idols and sinful habits that led them to captivity for Him to save them. Repentance is very easy but it demands courage to say good-bye to old sinful ways. You can become a temple for God’s dwelling.
Quote: Say good-bye to old sinful ways
Challenge: God is passionate to save the penitent.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, save the sinners in my school.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
