Their Choices Made the Land Desolate

Meditate. Are you paying attention and listening to the Lord?

Prickly cactus in desolation.
Is your heart like a cactus?

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 cactus.

Step back. Deep breath. Focus on the Lord. Listen. Listening is a very important skill. Really listen. 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.

Verses of Salvation ~ "If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too." Ezekiel 3:20-21

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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