DOES GOD TEXT?

DOES GOD TEXT?

In the Old Testament book of Zechariah [next to the last book], this creative, imaginative prophet of God uses every mechanism he can to get the people’s attention!  He is a visionary and for most of his book he uses his visions to motivate the people to rebuild the Temple of God after returning to a destroyed Jerusalem following seventy years of captivity in Babylon. 

But in chapter 8, he tries a new tactic – always trying to impact the people with the reality and presence of God!  In this chapter Zechariah delivers what we would consider text messages from GOD!  They are brief, relevant, direct messages intended to encourage and motivate the people.  Samples follow:

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I am zealous for Zion – I care!”  [Zion = Jerusalem]  [v.2 TM]

GOD’S Message:

“I’ve come back to Zion, I’ve moved back to Jerusalem.”  [v.3 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes—a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing—a good city to grow up in.”   [vs.4-5]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Do the problems of returning and rebuilding by just a few survivors seem too much? But is anything too much for me? Not if I have my say.” [v.6 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I’ll collect my people from countries to the east and countries to the west. I’ll bring them back and move them into Jerusalem. They’ll be my people and I’ll be their God. I’ll stick with them and do right by them.”  [vs.7-8 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

    Sowing and harvesting will resume,
    Vines will grow grapes,
    Gardens will flourish,
    Dew and rain will make everything green.  [v.12 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

Don’t be afraid. And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.” Decree of God.  [vs.16-17 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Lots of people, powerful nations—they’ll come to Jerusalem looking for what they can get from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, looking to get a blessing from God.”  [v.22 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“At that time, ten men speaking a variety of languages will grab the sleeve of one Jew, hold tight, and say, ‘Let us go with you. We’ve heard that God is with you.’”  [v.23 TM]

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Imagine if you had been removed from your homeland for seventy years and then were suddenly allowed to return and rebuild your former life. 

Wouldn’t it be encouraging when your prophets delivered a series of brief, encouraging messages from the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies?  Your God is encouraging you!  Your God is with you!  Your God cares!  Your God is restoring you!

Now, for us here in the United States, we’re on the opposite side of this situation.  We’re watching things deteriorate daily and feeling the despair of powerlessness.  We’re facing the reality of corrupt leaders and unjust government agencies!  We deal with the daily fear, despair and hopelessness of a once-strong country that is gradually – but consistently – unraveling before our very eyes! 

Does the God-of-the-Angel-Armies see us?  Does He feel our pain?  Does He hear our prayers [you are praying about our dilemma, right?]  Is He sending us any messages [you are listening, right?]  Does His Word offer us any guidance [you are reading it regularly, right?] 

I’m no prophet and certainly am not as creative or connected-to-God as Zechariah, but I believe – with all my heart – that God is watching and waiting for us to lean into His strength and wisdom!  From what I can see, we can’t look to the organized church for direction and guidance through this maze of chaos. Unfortunately, most churches have lost their authority and power and are struggling to keep their doors open.  Most church growth today is 'transfer growth', not 'convert growth'.  But remember:  the church isn’t a building or an organization – it’s a body!  It’s a body of believers!  We are the Church! 

And God will use us and our families – along with other believers and their families – to stand against a flood-tide of opposition, evil and compromise!  We WILL pay a price!  There WILL be suffering!  But GOD WILL be with us and He WILL be texting us throughout the fray!  We’re in GOOD HANDS!