April 12 | Zechariah 9:9

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DAILY READING

Zechariah 9:9

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REFLECTION

Zechariah's Prophesy

By Dave Thompson 

This passage is a prophetic word about Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on what we celebrate as Palm Sunday. However, what is amazing is that Zechariah 9 is believed to be written in 480 BC, over 500 years before the event that Zechariah prophesized about. The second part of verse nine is just as important, maybe more so. He will be righteous and victorious. He ultimately will provide a way through His righteousness to give us salvation. That is a promise from God (John 3:17; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13).

I heard it once said that there are 1,873 prophesies and 3,573 promises in the Bible and not one of those have been proven to be false. Many have come to pass, but others are to be fulfilled in the future of mankind. Trusting that these are facts really gives me confidence as God can not lie. When in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5, it states that "He (God, Christ and the Holy Spirit) will never leave you, nor forsake you." The triune Godhead didn't have a committee meeting and say that "this phrase sounds good, so let's put it in the various scrolls" that would one day become the Old and New Testament of the bible. You know as a youngster I was taught that God could never lie, never...ever... lie! And that includes Christ and the Holy Spirit. Likewise, another one of my favorite promises comes from 1 Cor. 10:7, it promises that, "No temptation has overtaken you, except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." It is a God/Christ promise and knowing that they can't lie, you can take it to the bank.

So what promises do you hold "near and dear?" Take a faith walk through them or if you are fairly young in your faith, google search "listings of God's promises in the Bible" and read through a number of them. I guarantee, you will be encouraged and strengthened. Some prophesies and promises are historical in nature and might not speak to your heart.

If those above weren't enough, knowing that the Bible says that God knew us before the foundation of the Earth, that He loved us. (Eph. 1:4) I mean, He knew all about me and He still loved me enough to preserve me throughout childhood and adulthood to this very day. It is amazing.

Prayer

Lord God, you are a faithful and loving father. We are in awe of you. Help the readers internalize your promises. And, what is further amazing is that Romans 10:9-10 and many other scriptures tell us if we pray that we are sinners and we confess that we are sorry for our sin and then we acknowledge Christ as the Lord of our lives all these prophesies and promises are all yours along with salvation. Thank you - In Christ's holy name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE THOMPSON

I am the administrator of the Daily Worship Blog. My wife, Carla, and I have been attending UALC for seven years at the 9 o'clock service at Mill Run. We have two children, Catherine and Aaron. I have been a Christian for 53 years and am thankful that my Savior has given me two spiritual gifts that have carried me both spiritually and vocationally all my life: they are teaching and administration. I look forward to spending many years here at UALC to serve my Lord and Savior.

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April 11 | John 12:12-19

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DAILY READING

John 12:12-19

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REFLECTION

What Comes Next

By Jennifer Jerrome

Imagine being told a king was coming to save you: 

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!    

Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

And now you’re in Jerusalem celebrating Passover and the man who raised Lazarus from the dead and performed a bunch of other miracles comes riding into town on a donkey!

Absolutely, you’re going to start shouting “Hosanna” and waving palm branches at him. That’s what you do for royalty. He’s the one you’ve been waiting for! He’s the king who’s going to save you from the Romans.

But give it a few days, and strange things start to happen. He’s not leading you into battle but instead is accused of blasphemy by your own leaders and treason by the government. He’s crucified and buried and nothing has changed. (Or so it seems!)

How confused would you be? You watch Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. You praise him and shout “Savior” at him. Palm branches that were meant for celebrating victory are now withering in the sun.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to turn out. HE was supposed to change everything.

I imagine being a member of the Jewish community at this time would have been difficult. Would I have been among those turning shouts of “Hosanna!” into cries of “Crucify Him?”

Having my hopes dashed as my savior died on a cross would have been a difficult pill to swallow. But sitting here thousands of years later, I have the privilege of knowing what comes next. I have the Bible and history to tell me that things do change and change like they never have before.

My future took shape that day Jesus rode into town, just like it did for all who called themselves followers. Their lives took a turn they would never see coming (though maybe they should have.) But in their defense, things looked so much different than they expected. It was hard to see past their immediate disappointment.

As we approach Holy Week so much will happen. So many twists and turns which makes it a glorious story indeed!

PRAYER

Thank you, Father, for sharing your Son with us and making us part of His story. Though things didn’t turn out the way people thought they would/should, it was so much more than they could ever imagine. I appreciate living in a time when we know what happens next. May we continue to cry “Hosanna!” because Christ’s death is not a defeat, but the ultimate victory for us all. On Sunday may we wave our palm branches high and declare that our Savior has come. Hallelujah!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNIFER JERROME

I have known I was a child of God from the beginning. I was baptized and raised in the Catholic church and began attending UALC about 18 years ago when my husband I were searching for a place to worship and serve as a family. UALC has helped shape our faith over the years. We have been through several seasons of life and the constant has been our faith and family.

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APRIL 10 | MARK 11:1-11

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DAILY READING

Mark 11:1-11

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REFLECTION

Friends To The Very End!

by Judy Webb

"Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve." (Mark 11:11)

At this point it is worth noting Jesus did not spend a night in the city that rejected him! It had already been a long day, an exciting day too, but it was now time to prepare. It was important for Jesus to return to Bethany, his place of safety and friendship…one last time. Surrounded by Mary, Martha, Lazarus and the Twelve, he prepared to face tomorrow and his purpose, his reason for being on earth.

He went to Bethany to avoid premature arrest. He was always in control. When he entered the temple courts and looked around at everything he was aware of what was to come. He knew the time was near when he would clear the temple of all the evil taking place there. But not yet; not today. His time, while fast approaching, had not yet come.

One would think that the temple was the perfect place for Jesus to rest, to feel safe and at home, but not so because the priest and the people refused to give him his rightful place. This causes me to ask; have I given Jesus His rightful place? His perfect place in my life? Would he feel at home with me were it close to the time to fulfill his purpose? Or turn this question around and ask, do I consider Jesus my friend, one I can turn to when the world turns on me?

Jesus knew his purpose, he understood what his Father wanted from him. Do we? We all have a purpose, but do we know what it is? Do we understand how to accomplish it? Do you and I recognize our gifts and passions, and do we use them to glorify God and bring others to know him? Think about such things this passion week.

PRAYER

Jesus,

Every year as we revisit your walk on earth, we need to embrace all this means. There are many important truths in the story which we read each Holy Week. Give us a real sense of Your love and redemption this time around. Reveal something new and point us in the direction of your love. Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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