Step By Step

Read Zechariah 7-8, Ezra 6:14-22
 
Zechariah 8:20-23 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: ‘People from nations and cities around the world will travel to Jerusalem. 21 The people of one city will say to the people of another, “Come with us to Jerusalem to ask the LORD to bless us. Let’s worship the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. I’m determined to go.” 22 Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD of Heaven’s Armies and to ask for his blessing. 23 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: “In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
 
GOD, the Savior, continues to deliver his present and future hope. This particular passage reminds us God’s plan is for all the world. Not only is he restoring the Jews to know and live by his commands, God will use the Jews to bring many more to know him. God will cause those who do not know him to seek after his people and to follow them as they go to the LORD.
   This is the history of the church. We see in Acts 2 how people of many languages were in Jerusalem to hear the gospel preached. We know also from Acts how the apostles went to Jews in other countries and then to Gentiles to declare the gospel. The New Testament epistles record churches planted throughout the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and into Europe. The church’s history is well recorded from then to its worldwide presence today. More and more people of various languages and nations are hearing and believing the gospel because Christians go. God’s Word through Zechariah’s prophecy has come and is coming true.  
   On this day I urge you to consider your role in God’s plan to make him known. Will you be one who is ready to lead people to Jesus? Will you invite them to walk with you as you demonstrate God’s grace and salvation? Will you be Jesus’ instrument of love in his eternal saving purpose?
   As I wrote this, I was listening to Rich Mullins’ brief, powerful song of discipleship, “Step by Step”:
 
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to
Walk in Your ways.
And step by step You’ll lead me.
And I will follow You all of my days
 
Perhaps this can be a song on your heart today.