Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah
saying, "Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and
practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the
widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your
hearts against one another.' But they refused to pay attention and turned a
stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts
like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of
hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath
came from the LORD of hosts. And just as He called and they would not listen,
so they called and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts; "but
I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not
known. Thus the land is desolated behind them so that no one went back and
forth, for they made the pleasant land desolate." Zechariah 7:8-14
Stubborn hearts—rejecting the wise and kind
words of guidance that the Holy Spirit was giving the Israelites. Just like any
loving father teaching his children: be kind—play nice. But the stubborn little
brats say, “No! I want to do it my way.”
Hadn’t they heard of the Golden Rule? "Do
to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” Matthew 7:12. Hardening their hearts towards the Lord was
not a wise thing. How often do we do that? Sometimes just a little stiffness. I
want to do my own thing…my own way. Just like a three year old--or a prickly pear cactus.
Step back. Deep breath. Focus on the Lord.
What do you hear Him saying to you? Justice , kindness, compassion? How
will you respond? Like the Israelites—who refused to listen—or are your choices
turning your heart towards God? If we don’t choose God’s ways will our land
become desolate?
Prayer
~ Holy Spirit, please bless and guide us that we would make wise and righteous
decisions that would result in justice, kindness and compassion for those
around us.
Adapted from
March 27, 2015 blog.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
No comments:
Post a Comment