August 24 - Children Playing in the Streets

Today's Reading: 
Zechariah 8:1-23 
Mark 12:38-13:13 
Proverbs 29:19-27
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Focus Verses:
Zechariah 8:3-5,23 
3 This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain." 4 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there." - - - 23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.' "
 
Insight:
Zechariah, one of the young people who returned to Jerusalem, was a member of a priestly family. Like Haggai, Zechariah urged the people of Israel to complete the rebuilding of the Temple, and called them to embrace God's promise of restoration and blessing. These promises, he said, were something they would enjoy into old age and for generations to come. God's renewal and blessing would be so complete that surrounding nations and cultures would come to Jerusalem and ask to know the living God.

Response and Action:
I want to embrace God's promises to renew, transform, and bless my life. My commitment to seek, honor, and obey God, springs from my faith in his promises. My hope in Christ is a long-term perspective. I fully expect to experience God's blessing into my old age. I fully expect my commitment to Christ to result in blessing for my children and for their children. I pray that the blessing of the Lord would be so visible in my life that I can serve as an example of how to seek God and follow Jesus.

O God, teach me to number my days that I might present a heart of wisdom. Increase my faith and help me to cling to your promises. Strengthen and transform me as I follow in the footsteps of Christ, and build my life upon the solid foundation of his teaching. Make my life a testimony of your grace, and a light to all who seek your truth and blessing. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses:  
1 Peter 3:15 
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...
 
Resources: 
True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In
by James Choung