ESOCS Devotional 13 January 2021
TEXT: ZECHARIAH 13:1-9
MEMORY VERSE: “I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.'” Zechariah 13:9 NKJV
Many people always learn their lessons the hard way. They often neglect such times that simple obedience would profit them. They would rather continue in stubbornness against the will of God, and against His word, and His counsels; even His warnings, too. They would not remove themselves from practising evil or indulging in sinfulness. But the word of God says, “I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me. You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you. So when you get into trouble [when your calamity and affliction come], I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes — when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery” (Prov. 1:24-27 GNT).
This era in Israel was like so many other times when they turned their back on their God and worshiped other gods that they learned from other nations. The Israelites had that syndrome in their history. The kings, princes, priests, and many prophets often led them astray; and they enjoyed fellowship with strange gods rather than cling to the Lord God of their fathers. For such sins, God would punish them severely. They would cry in their affliction and He would remember His covenant with Abraham their father; then, He would forgive them, only for them to go back to their idolatry and other mischievous ways.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Zechariah warned them: “In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it” (Zech. 13:8 NIV). Then, for the one-third that remain, the Lord would take them through fire to refine them as silver is refined in fire, and they would be tested as gold is tested. The two process signify terrible punishment from God. Sometimes, they were taken into captivity in foreign lands where they became slaves. At other times, they were made to experience severe calamities such as drought, famine, sicknesses, diseases, epidemics, pestilence, disasters, and many others. The heavens were often closed against them. They would cry to God for help but He would not hear them. They had made themselves abominable to Him. They would suffer afflictions, degradation, and unmitigated oppression. It was always as the Scripture says, “You are to deliver this man over to Satan for physical discipline [to destroy carnal lusts which prompted him to incest], that [his] spirit may [yet] be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor 5:5 AMP). They would suffer and agonise their plight; then, they would repent and receive pardon.
What is best for us? Is it to live sinful lifestyle, receive punishment, and suffer different kinds of terrible afflictions, then change; or to live obedient life to the word of God and be blessed? Should we continue doing things that God hates and suffer punishment at His hand? The choice is ours entirely. Let us be mindful of the benefits or consequences of the choice we make. The Bible counsels us to maintain a lifestyle that God would appreciate and commend us to Himself, that is, maintain good works only (Titus 3:8). This is the right thing to do.
CHALLENGES
Discipline and teach yourself obedience in order not to get into trouble with God.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, give me the power to conquer myself and sin in my life in order that I might avoid punishment and affliction.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 5:24-30; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 22:6-13
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ESOCS Devotional 13 January 2021
