READING: Zechariah 1-7
This is one of my favorite spiritual warfare passages in the Old Testament. Joshua, the high priest who represents the people of God, stands before the angel of the Lord, and Satan stands ready to accuse him (Zech 3:1). Joshua is clearly guilty, as evidenced by the “filthy clothes” he was wearing (Zech 3:3). Apparently, Satan the accuser would have had legitimate grounds to point out Joshua’s sin . . . except that God had a greater plan.
Before Satan could say anything, the Lord “said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!'” (Zech 3:2). Then, the angel told others to remove Joshua’s filthy clothing and clothed him with clean clothing — a dramatic picture of God’s grace: “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you” (Zech 3:4). Joshua, forgiven and cleansed, would now be expected to walk in obedience and keep God’s requirements in response to His grace (Zech 3:7).
There is so much here that excites me. First, God is a forgiving God who calls His people to Himself. In the case of Joshua, God’s forgiveness of the high priest is a reminder that God would preserve His people through whom would come the Messiah, the Branch of David (Zech 3:8). Second, God rules over the enemy. Satan could not speak a word without God’s permission. Third, salvation is God’s gift to us. In the picture that Zechariah paints, Joshua neither removes his old clothing nor clothes himself with the new; the Lord does all of that for him. Fourth, the enemy’s accusations cannot halt the grace of God. God chose to forgive Joshua, and He nullified the grounds on which the accuser might have stood against the high priest. Only God can remove our sin, cleanse us, and give us clean clothing when we’re guilty — and the great news is that He does just that for us! Finally, God’s grace calls us to greater godliness, not less. It’s true that God graciously forgave Joshua, but He then demanded faithfulness in turn.
You see, when God pours out His grace on us, we should want to pour out our heart to Him. His deep love for us should in turn evoke our deep commitment to Him.
ACTION STEPS:
- Remember the day when God halted the accuser in your life and granted you His grace. Meditate on His overwhelming love.
- Forgive someone today who has hurt you. Don’t allow yourself to be a tool in the accuser’s hands.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for Your grace. I am so unworthy.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Zechariah 8-14