Tag: Zechariah

Empowered to Speak: The Holy Spirit’s Work in Us

As we read through Luke 1:39-2:40 and Matthew 1:18-25, one pattern stands out: when the Holy Spirit filled people, they spoke prophetic words. Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon—all of them, when filled with the Spirit, declared truths about God’s promises and the Messiah. Even the angel’s words to Joseph can be seen as a Spirit-inspired message, guiding him to protect and nurture Jesus.

This pattern shows that when the Holy Spirit moves, He empowers His people to proclaim God’s truth boldly. What lessons can we draw from this today?

1. The Holy Spirit Still Moves

First, it’s clear that the Holy Spirit is active. Just as He filled these people at critical moments in salvation history, He continues to fill and empower believers today. We are called to recognize and welcome His presence in our lives. The Spirit is not just a distant force; He is personal and present, ready to guide, strengthen, and inspire us in our walk with Christ.

2. Prophetic Words are Spirit-Led

When the Spirit filled Elizabeth, Zechariah, and Simeon, they spoke truths about God’s promises. These were not random thoughts but divinely inspired words of prophecy. Today, while the specifics of prophecy may differ, the principle remains: the Holy Spirit empowers us to speak truth, often in ways that bring encouragement, correction, or guidance.

This doesn’t mean we all have the “gift of prophecy” in the same way, but it does mean that God’s Spirit can move through us to share His message with others, whether in words of wisdom, comfort, or exhortation.

3. Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness

Another lesson from these passages is how often the prophetic words pointed to God’s faithfulness to His promises. Simeon, for example, praised God for allowing him to see the fulfillment of the promise he had waited for: the Messiah. When the Spirit fills us today, He often leads us to declare God’s faithfulness, reminding ourselves and others that God’s promises still hold true.

Sometimes we face seasons where it’s hard to believe in God’s promises. Yet, just as Simeon waited with expectation, we can trust that God’s Spirit will sustain us in hope and prompt us to speak words of life when the time is right.

4. We Are Empowered to Speak Boldly

Elizabeth’s response when Mary came to visit was immediate and bold. She didn’t hold back; she declared Mary blessed among women and praised God for the child she carried. The Holy Spirit gives us courage to speak out in truth and love. Sometimes we hesitate to speak up, whether due to fear of rejection or doubt, but the Spirit empowers us to share what needs to be said, especially when it comes to pointing people to Jesus.

5. The Spirit’s Work is Always Christ-Centered

In each instance of prophecy in these passages, the message pointed to Jesus. The Holy Spirit’s primary mission is to reveal and glorify Christ (John 16:14), and this is true for us today. When we are filled with the Spirit, we should expect that our words and actions will reflect Jesus and His Kingdom. Whether in a conversation, a moment of prayer, or even through our lifestyle, the Spirit will move us to point others to Christ.

The Takeaway

What we see in Luke 1 and Matthew 1 is the Holy Spirit filling people not just for their benefit but for the sake of proclaiming God’s truth. Today, the same Spirit that moved in the lives of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and Simeon is available to us, empowering us to speak boldly, proclaim God’s faithfulness, and point others to Jesus.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, we should be ready to speak words of encouragement, truth, and hope to those around us. May we be open to His leading, and like these figures in the Gospels, may we have the courage to declare God’s greatness in every opportunity we are given.

Christ’s Return: The Prophetic Power of the Mount of Olives

In Zechariah 14:4, we read of an incredible moment in prophetic history: “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.” This image captures a future event that is both awe-inspiring and deeply significant for believers. It points to the Second Coming of Christ, when He will return to earth in power and glory.

The Mount of Olives is not just a location in the biblical narrative; it’s a place of immense prophetic importance. Located east of Jerusalem, it is where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12) and where He will return. What’s remarkable about this prophecy is how Jesus’ arrival splits the mountain, opening up a new path for the final victory of God’s plan. This visual demonstrates Christ’s unstoppable power to overcome every obstacle and establish His reign.

Directly across from the Mount of Olives is the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem. This gate, currently sealed, is believed by many to be the very gate through which the Messiah will enter Jerusalem upon His return. For centuries, it has remained closed, and directly in front of it lies a cemetery, deliberately placed there to prevent the Messiah’s entry. According to Jewish tradition, a priest cannot walk through a graveyard, as that would render him ritually unclean. Those who placed the gravesite there did so with the intent of stopping the Messiah from passing through.

Yet the prophecy of Zechariah makes clear that no human efforts will stand in the way of God’s plan. When Christ returns, the Mount of Olives will split, creating a valley and bypassing the cemetery entirely. The sealed gate and gravesite—symbols of humanity’s attempts to hinder the Messiah—will be rendered irrelevant by the power of God. Jesus’ return will demonstrate that nothing can obstruct His will.

This prophecy also serves as a reminder that God’s plan will come to pass, no matter how impossible it may seem from our perspective. The same God who will split a mountain and walk through a sealed gate is the God who is at work in our lives right now. His purposes cannot be thwarted.

Second, it calls us to live with an eternal perspective. The future return of Christ is not a distant myth but a reality we can look forward to with hope. We live in anticipation of the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. In the meantime, we can trust that the same power that will bring Jesus back to the Mount of Olives is at work in us today.

Finally, this prophecy challenges us to examine where we place our hope. Are we looking to the world for security, or are we trusting in the One who controls the future? As believers, we know the end of the story, and that should give us confidence to face whatever challenges come our way.

Unstoppable: Turning Opposition into Victory

In Ezra 5-6, we witness an incredible story of persistence, faith, and divine intervention. The Israelites, in the midst of rebuilding the temple, are confronted by local authorities who question their right to continue the work. These officials demand proof of authorization, but instead of ceasing their efforts, the Israelites keep building. They work through the uncertainty, trusting that God would provide a way forward.

When the local authorities send a letter to King Darius to confirm the Israelites’ claims, they likely expected the work to be shut down. But instead of halting the project, God turns the situation completely around. Not only does King Darius affirm that the Israelites have the right to continue, but he also commands that their opponents provide financial and material support to ensure the temple is completed. The very people who sought to stop the work were now required to assist it.

This powerful account shows us that when God commissions something, no opposition can stop it. The Israelites faced a daunting challenge—one that could have easily discouraged them or caused them to give up. But they didn’t stop. They continued building while awaiting the king’s response. And because of their faith and persistence, God intervened in a way they couldn’t have imagined, using their enemies to accomplish His purposes.

This story is a reminder to us that when God calls us to a task, He will provide the means to see it through. Even when we face opposition, whether from people, circumstances, or spiritual forces, God is both our protector and provider. He makes a way where there seems to be none and can turn the very obstacles we face into tools for His glory.

For us today, this means that no matter how overwhelming or difficult the task at hand may seem, if it’s God’s will, it cannot fail. There may be times when we face opposition or feel like giving up, but just like the Israelites, we can continue pressing forward in faith. God’s plans will always prevail. The resources, strength, and support we need will come, often from unexpected places. Even those who seek to stop us may end up contributing to the success of God’s work.

So, keep trusting in God’s provision. Just as He did for the Israelites, He will make a way for you, even when opposition rises. He will equip you to fulfill the calling He’s placed on your life, and nothing can stand in the way of His purposes. In moments of uncertainty or challenge, remember that God’s plan is unstoppable, and He is faithful to provide everything you need to succeed.

Accidental Righteousness? I Don’t Think So

In Haggai 2, the prophet speaks to the remnant of Israel after their return from exile, addressing their efforts to rebuild the temple. In verses 10–19, God uses a powerful illustration to make a point about purity and defilement. He asks the priests whether holiness can be transferred through mere contact, and the answer is no. But when He asks if defilement can spread through touch, the answer is yes. The message is clear: sin easily defiles, but righteousness doesn’t simply “rub off” on others.

This context is vital to understanding the heart of Haggai’s message. The people had returned from exile and were working on restoring the temple, but their hearts were still not fully aligned with God. Despite their physical efforts, their spiritual state mattered most. The external work they were doing wouldn’t make them righteous before God if their hearts remained impure. Sin, like a disease, contaminates easily, and their efforts—while good—couldn’t cleanse them of their sinful tendencies.

For us today, the application is profound. Sin spreads easily in our lives. It creeps in through the smallest cracks—our thoughts, attitudes, habits, and relationships. It doesn’t take much for our hearts to be tainted by pride, anger, jealousy, or selfishness. Righteousness, however, is not something that happens accidentally or passively. It requires intentional pursuit and devotion to God. Just as the Israelites couldn’t rely on the temple to make them holy, we can’t assume that simply attending church or reading the Bible without engagement will make us righteous.

We are fertile ground for sin, and it is our default state unless we actively seek God and allow His Spirit to transform us. The world around us often promotes values and behaviors that can easily defile our hearts and minds, and if we aren’t careful, those influences can take root. But righteousness requires effort. It demands that we choose, day by day, to walk in obedience to Christ, to reject sin, and to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.

God’s grace is what enables us to pursue righteousness, but it doesn’t remove the need for effort. We must be intentional in our pursuit of holiness, knowing that it is by God’s power, not our own, that we grow in righteousness. Like the Israelites rebuilding the temple, we need to focus not only on the external aspects of our faith but also on the condition of our hearts. We must be vigilant, always seeking to uproot sin and replace it with the righteousness that comes through Christ.

Satan is a Bad Counsellor

When King Joash’s mentor (the priest Jehoiada) died, and new set of advisors quickly stepped in to fill the vacuum. And they led him away from the Lord. They led him so far from the Lord that when Jehoiada’s son Zechariah came to Joash to challenge him, Joash had him killed! Well, some time later a couple of this trusted advisors decided to assassinate the king for that very action! Jozacar and Jehozabad killed their own king, while he was weak, wounded from battle.

So it is with sin.

We often have this picture in our mind of Satan with hooves for feet, a spaded tail, head horns, a pitchfork, and a generally red hue. LOL. No. Satan is never — NEVER — going to come to you and say, “Hey! I’m evil and have your destruction as my goal! I want to lead you astray and bring you to a place that will ultimately be your destruction.” Who would do that? Satan is evil… not a MORON. No, what he will actually do is promise you something fun and shiny and new.

Maybe your struggle is lust and he brings someone into your path to disrupt your marriage, or brings some pornography to your attention. Surely nothing bad came come from abusing the gift of sexuality or allowing it to control you… right?

Maybe your struggle is “the almighty dollar” and he brings you a deal that will make you some quick money if you’re willing to cut a corner here and there or take advantage of someone. Hey, it’s a jungle out there! Dog eat dog… right?

Maybe your struggle is glory/power and so Satan brings you the offer of career advancement if you just throw a coworker under the bus, or compromise your commitment to the church, or sacrifice more time with your family. But once you have that power, you’ll start using it for good… right?

Satan is a loser who knows he’s a loser. And he’s just trying to do as much damage as possible on the way down.

Choosing Our Friends

Young Joash is made king of Judah when he is just 7 years old. Jehoiada the priest oversees his reign and provides guidance and protection for the first 23+ years of his reign. But right after Jehoiada the priest died a new band of hangers-on came to Joash with super awesome new ideas… rather than worship the God of Abraham… how about we worship these wooden poles instead!? This angered God, but rather than visit His judgement and wrath upon Joash, he sent Zechariah — the SON of Jehoiada the priest — as a prophet to warn the king about his behaviour’s consequences. Joash’s response? He had Zechariah killed.

Your friends have a massive impact on your life. This is because gravity pulls toward the largest mass. If your friends are upright, God-fearing, and trying to live good lives. Chances are high that you will do the same. If your friends are alcohol abusers and partiers into casual drug use, chances are high you will do the same. This is why it is so critical that we choose our friends carefully. We must have people around us who are rowing in the same direction we are.

Does that mean we can never have friends who aren’t Christians? Friends who are still deep in their struggles? Of course not! Have those friends. But they should not be in your inner circle. They should not be the ones that you seek out for advice and council. The influence these type of friends needs to be minimized. And if you ever find yourself in a position where these more worldly friends “get you” better than your Christian friends BEWARE! Seriously. It means that YOU have changed your position and are now in danger of rejecting God just like Joash did.

Don’t be Joash. It’s not worth your life.