Hearts Like Flint

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Hearts Like Flint

Zechariah was a prophet,  who foretold a lot  about our Savior  500 years  before Jesus was born.     Because  Zechariah’s prophecies  came true  in Jesus Christ,  we can be very sure  that he honestly was speaking  for God Almighty.     With that sort  of assurance,  it is good  to really pay attention  and apply Zechariah’s words our lives today.

For instance,  in Zechariah 1:3,  we read,

“Return to Me,”  declares the LORD of hosts,  “that I may return to you.”

Zechariah explained  how the ancestors  of these Israelites refused  to listen  to the prophets of God  in their day.     Their refusal to listen  brought all sorts of troubles  on them,  as they were captured and dragged  into captivity.     But, when the hearts of the people  turned back  to the LORD  in repentance,  God gladly turned to them  in compassion.

To give more emphasis  on his point,  Zechariah writes  in chapter 7:9-14,

Thus has the LORD of hosts said,  “Dispense true justice,  and practice kindness and compassion  each to his brother,  and do not oppress the widow  or the orphan,  the stranger  or the poor;  and do not devise evil  in your hearts  against one another.”

But they refused  to pay attention,  and turned a stubborn shoulder  and stopped their ears  from hearing.     And they made their hearts like flint,  so that they  could not hear the law  and the words  which the LORD of hosts  had sent  by His Spirit  through the former prophets;  therefore great wrath came  from the LORD of hosts.

“And it came about  that just as He called  and they would not listen,  so they called  and I would not listen,”  says the LORD of hosts;  “but I scattered them  with a storm wind  among all the nations  whom they have not known.”

God’s word is eternal — so we can be sure  that if we refuse  to listen to God’s word,  and make our “hearts  like flint”,  we’re going to experience  the same sort of discipline  from the Lord.    If we choose  to “stop our ears from hearing”  how God wants us to live  in faith,  hope,  and love,  then we will have to face  God’s wrath.

The people of  Zechariah’s day  had the promise  of the Savior — but,  we actually have the Savior.     We have proof that God keeps all His promises.     If we still refuse  to turn to the Lord,  we will deserve  a greater punishment.     Many people will snorkel at this  and with raised eyebrows,  say,  “What a nut!”     But,  what about Hebrews 12:25,  which says,

See to it  that you do not refuse Him  who is speaking.     For if  those did not escape  when they refused him  who warned them  on earth,  much less shall we escape  who turn away from Him  who warns from heaven.

So,  instead of being really nutty  and refusing to listen,  we need to forget about the foolish mocking  of this world,  and sensibly turn back  to God,  our Savior and Redeemer.     We’ll be glad we did.

In the joy of listening  to God’s words of love  to us,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Lord,  it’s so good  to be close  to You!”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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