On that day
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name (Zechariah 14:9).
Zechariah was born in Babylonia and was a young man (see Zechariah 2:4) among those who returned to Judah in 538 BC under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. His grandfather Iddo was a priest named among those returning exiles (Nehemiah 12:4; Zechariah 1:1,7). Zechariah later succeeded his grandfather as head of that priestly family (Nehemiah 12:16), meaning he was both a prophet and a priest.
The returnees had completed laying the foundation for the temple, but the work was halted by opposition and persecution by surrounding peoples. Zechariah and Haggai both began to preach in the second year of Darius, 520 BC, (although Zechariah’s ministry continued long after Haggai’s four-month ministry, Haggai 1 and 2). They both rebuked the returnees for their giving way to fear, exhorting them to return to the Lord (Zechariah 1:3–6) and encouraging them through visons to motivate them to complete the rebuild of the temple and trust him in their daily lives.
How different are we, when opposition comes, when we are ridiculed for trusting God through Jesus his Son by his Spirit? Though we might be shut down for a while, will we remain in that frame of mind, focused on our inadequacy, forgetting to look to the Lord and his adequacy?
When the heat is on or complacency knocks, let’s encourage each other to recognise where our help comes from, that the Lord is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Zechariah gives glimpses in his book of the coming Christ, foretelling what he would be and do. These glimpses help us understand Jesus’ words to his disciples after his resurrection (Luke 24:25–27,44). Although this lectionary reading for today may seem rather oblique, it also points forward to what will come ‘on that day’ when the Lord will be acknowledged as king over the whole earth, and every knee will bow before him (Isaiah 45:22,23; Romans 14:11).
Lord Jesus, name above all names, we worship you! Thank you for your presence with us to lead us, no matter whatever we face. Amen.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
