Saturday December 10, 2022
Theme: “Restoration on the way"
Text: Zechariah 8:9-19
9. Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Strengthen your hands, you who hear today these words from the mouth of the prophets which came about at the time when the house of Yahweh of hosts was founded, where the temple was about to be built. 10. For before that time the labor of man had no reward, and the wages of beasts was nil; there was no peace for those who went in and out because of the enemy, and I turned all the men against each other. 11. Now I am not for the remnant of this people as I was in time past, saith the LORD of hosts. 12. For the sowing will prosper, the vine will yield its fruit, the earth will yield its produce, and the heavens will send down their dew; I will bring all these things to the remnant of this people. 13. As you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Fear not, and may your hands be strong! 14. For thus says Yahweh of hosts: As I thought of hurting you when your fathers were angry with me, says Yahweh of hosts, and I have not repented of it, 15. so I turn back and have resolved in those days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Fear not! 16. This is what you must do: speak the truth each to his neighbour; judge within your gates according to truth and with a view to peace; 17. Let no one in his heart think evil against his neighbor, and love not false oath, for these are all things that I hate, saith the LORD. 18. The word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying: 19. Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth will be changed for the house of Judah in days of gladness and joy, in feasts of rejoicing. But love truth and peace.
Let's remember:
The key words required by the Eternal God are: truth and peace. Let us associate justice and the fear of the Eternal which are sustained by love for God and love for neighbour. The Lord is willing and ready to bring restoration to His people. He promises to forget our past infidelities; he promises to wipe out our old rebellion. God ignores the transgressions and all the abominations of our ancestors. He wants to establish a new season within our generation in order to plant in our hearts the seeds of love, fidelity, peace and obedience. Our God does himself the honor of bringing our hearts back to Him by using his paternal authority to gather around Him the whole family once scattered in the diasporas of occult and irreligious beliefs. The conclusive beauty of this promise of God is the transformation of the months of fasting and prayer into moments of gladness and joy, into feasts of rejoicing around our God. Since the Eternal returns from his burning anger, on our side, let us practice the truth towards God and our neighbour; love peace; banish evil. Let's start afresh with God. Excellent dining Saturday. Amen
Alain Louz.-
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