Sweeter Than Honey This is What Restoration Looks Like

Sweeter Than Honey: This is What Restoration Looks Like

9/20/2022

Zechariah 10-12 begins with the restoration of Judah and #Israel and end with a spirit of #grace and pleas for #mercy. Although much of the Old Testament seems like something that happened a long time ago, that doesn’t pertain to us today, when we dig deep we clearly see how so much of it does pertain to us today. The #restoration of #Judah and Israel is much like our own restoration. Just as the people of Judah and Israel, we too wandered like sheep in need of a #Shepherd. #devotional #Bible

From the Old Testament to the New, the eternality of God's Word is clearly proclaimed:

Job tells us, “I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12).

Isaiah reminds us that, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

And Matthew records Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

God's Word is like an eternal Love Letter to us!

Have you ever received a love letter, friend? Did you read it? Did you read it just once, or did you read it over and over again? A Love Letter is a treasure when you love the One who sent it!

How would you like to read through God's Love Letter—His Word, the Bible, with a group of like-minded, Christian girlfriends? We're doing that over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group. Did you know you don't have to start a Bible reading plan on January 1? You can begin today! This simple plan, and an accountability partner, will help you succeed. Who will be your accountability partner? Share this post with them and invite them to the private Facebook group.

JOIN THE PRIVATE SWEETER THAN HONEY FACEBOOK GROUP

Sweeter Than Honey is patterned after this Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, here at the blog, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through God's Word and Sweeter Than Honey, together! I would also encourage you to Join us over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group, introduce yourself, meet new friends, and share your thoughts there as well. We're waiting for you!

Zechariah 10-12: This is What Restoration Looks Like

Zechariah chapters 10-12 begin with the restoration of Judah and Israel and end with a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy. Although much of the Old Testament seems like something that happened a long time ago, that doesn’t pertain to us today, when we dig deep we clearly see how so much of it does pertain to us today. The restoration of Judah and Israel is much like our own restoration.

"’Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord Who makes the storm clouds, and He will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field. For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.

My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the Lord of Hosts cares for His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like His majestic steed in battle. From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler—all of them together. They shall be like mighty men in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight because the Lord is with them, and they shall put to shame the riders on horses.

I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them. Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior, and their hearts shall be glad as with wine. Their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.

I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember Me, and with their children they shall live and return. I will bring them home from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria, and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, till there is no room for them. He shall pass through the sea of troubles and strike down the waves of the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up. The pride of Assyria shall be laid low, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart. I will make them strong in the Lord, and they shall walk in His name,’ declares the Lord." (Zechariah 10:1-12)

Just as the people of Judah and Israel, we too wandered like sheep in need of a Shepherd. Just as the Lord of Hosts cared for His flock, Judah, He also cares for us. Just as He is with them, He is with us. He will strengthen us, just as He strengthened Judah. He will save us, just as He did the house of Joseph. He brings us back because of His compassion. He is the Lord our God and He answers us when we call on Him. He gathers. He redeems. He brings us home. When we pass through the sea of troubles, He is there. When the waves overwhelm us, He calms the sea. He makes us strong in Him as we walk in His name.

Today, let’s praise God for His redeeming restoration of our soul and pray specifically for the restoration of the souls of those we come in contact with. Let us be the light of Salvation to them!

I'd love to hear about your restoration story!

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a love letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important—the eternal. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are all tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can.

Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!

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8 Comments

Maryleigh link

9/20/2022 10:16:02 am

I love that the children see the effects the restoration has on their family and community and are glad! That spoke volumes to me!

Patsy Burnette link

9/20/2022 11:28:22 am

Yes, Maryleigh! That speaks volumes to me as well! Allowing the next generation to see the effects of restoration in our own lives is priceless!

Donna B Reidland link

9/20/2022 11:17:23 am

I'm so thankful that God saved me when I was lost and without a shepherd. And just as glad that he is always with me when I pass through those troubled waters. What a faithful, loving Father we serve!

9/20/2022 11:31:22 am

Donna, I love Zechariah 11:7-16, where it talks about the 30 pieces of silver. That certainly caught my attention today. My restoration story begins with that 30 pieces of silver!

I’ll be the first to admit that I do understand all of this and maybe some of it is symbolism but in verse 16, where He says, “For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy…” got me, because I KNOW my Good Shepherd:
👉🏼 Cares for the destroyed
👉🏼 Seeks the young
👉🏼 Heals the maimed
👉🏼 Nourish the healthy

Michele Morin link

9/20/2022 12:24:05 pm

We divide on so many points in the church --points that seem pointless. I am so grateful for our Gathering God!

9/22/2022 06:54:46 am

I love that concept of God being a "Gathering God," Michele! :)

I was just reading this morning in the book of Esther about the intolerance of Haman: “Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, ‘There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so that it is not to the king's profit to tolerate them. If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king's business, that they may put it into the king's treasuries.’ ...Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.” Esther 3:8-13

But we are all created in the image of God, even vilest offender, even those who are different, even me, and He desires to "gather" all people.

"who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all..." 1 Timothy 2:4-6a

Yes, He is a Gathering God!!! Praise the Lord!

Paula Short link

9/21/2022 11:02:51 pm

I always praise God for His redeeming restoration of my soul. And I indeed pray for the restoration of those I come in contact with. Yes, let’s be the light.

9/22/2022 07:04:31 am

I love that we get to be the light for God's glory in this dark world, Paula. And I believe, though being a light may become more difficult in the coming generations, our light will shine brighter because of the darkening of the world around us.

I just this week read an article about Christianity becoming a minority religion in the Christian-founded nation of the USA. It's quite possible that some day soon "being the light" will cost us much more.