Sometimes life can change dramatically in a single day! The day I was married, had my first child, and the day I was fired from my job, all changed a great deal. You can’t always see the full implication of that day for years. That’s OK.
Its been rather popular again in Christian circles to discount the reading of the Old Testament. And I must confess that I love reading the gospel accounts of Jesus life and teaching. But, the beauty of Christ and the myriad fulfillment of prophecy can only be appreciated by holding an understanding of how God interacted with His people beforehand. The words of the prophets and Moses all point to Jesus. One such example from my reading today- Zechariah in a post exilic command calls God’s people to repentance and obedience while reminding them that their forgiveness of sin will come “in a single day”; not the symbolic day of atonement sacrifice, but in the death of Jesus on the cross. As Zechariah put it, all eyes of heaven will be on that “one stone”, the stone which the builders (Jewish leaders) rejected. Let’s do the opposite. Let’s receive the grace and forgiveness found in the sacrificial death and resurrection of the Lamb of God and walk this day free of impending judgment, guilt and shame.
See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. Zechariah 3:9 NIV
How then should I live in light of God’s fulfilled promise?
God, as this day begins- may I be both a grace recipient and grace dispenser. Help me fulfill Your purposes in this world as I reach out and love others in Your name. Thank you for what you’ve done in my life. Thank you for answering my prayer for Linda’s husband Anthony- please restore him 100% as a sign of Your kindness and affection. Please comfort the grieving families in Texas. I cannot imagine the loss of a child. Perhaps only You can.
