The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
TOPIC: THE LORD OF HOSTS
TEXT: Zechariah 8:1-13
1 Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,.2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. 3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 4 Thus 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.
5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. 6 Thus 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. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; 8 And 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.
9 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. 10 For 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. 11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 For 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. 13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, November 23, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
Notice the title for God, "The LORD of hosts" occurring several times in today's text. Some translations of the Bible use "The LORD of Armies" instead, but both expressions mean the same thing. It is the Hebrew -Jehovah Sabaoth, which speaks of God who will always fulfil His purposes, even when the hosts of His earthly people fail. God's people had just returned from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem, and were faced with the great challenge of rebuilding the temple of God. They needed words of encouragement to help them stand on their feet, that God would strengthen them as they go about rebuilding His temple. This was what informed Zechariah's choice of this title for God.
The Lord of Heaven's Armies is also with us today as we battle all manners of afflictions, whether terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, persecution, financial difficulty, sickness, marital problems, unemployment, academic pursuit, and all that cause us sleepless nights' The Lord has promised not to leave us alone. Absolutely nothing is too difficult for Him. His boundless power is there for us in the midst of impossible circumstances. Let us put our trust in Him, for He is the LORD of hosts.
Prayer: LORD of hosts, fight my battles for me that I may hold my peace, in Jesus Christ's name. Amen.