Wednesday QT, March 25
Today’s passage is Zechariah 9:9-17. The word of the Lord continues. The people of Jerusalem are exhorted to rejoice as their king comes riding on a donkey colt. The Lord says he’ll bring peace to all the earth. He will free prisoners and restore twice as much to them. The Lord will let Israel triumph over its enemies with sling stones. The people will be like jewels in his crown.
Why sling stones? Why will the people be full like an altar bowl?
The contrast between the king “gentle and riding on a donkey” and the “chariots of Ephraim” and the “warhorses from Jerusalem” in verse 9 could not be greater.
That is like the contrast in me.
When I’m confronted with a pressing problem, at first I see it as a battle for power.
I complain, get angry, have vengeful thoughts on those causing the problem.
I become the chariots of Ephraim.
There are always problems at my workplace.
A group of people are coming to evaluate my school.
To help them I had to prepare a report, but I made mistakes on the report.
I could say nothing and when the evaluators noticed the mistakes I could rationalize and make excuses.
I looked to God and prayed and confessed my mistakes to the people in advance.
I made no excuse. I chose to ride a donkey.
Over and over in my life I learn that I can win only with God.
I have to use stones guided by his Spirit, like David used against Goliath.
When I attempt to use big guns, warhorses and chariots and trust to their power, I fail.
What kind of saving do I want anyway?
The cavalry charge to the rescue?
The marines? Or do I really want the king of peace who brings me back from the desert of worldly desire, the “waterless pit”?
On my own I’m useless, but in God I can “sparkle … like a jewel in a crown.”
That’s what I want.
Lord, help me ride a donkey not a warhorse. Help me always look up to you and use your sling stones so that the victory can always be yours.
Application: to visit my office manager with God’s message while she waits in the hospital, fearful her son will die.
