READING: 2 Chronicles 24-26, Acts 7:17-50
He’s an otherwise unknown character in the Bible. He shows up briefly, and we learn little about him – but what we do learn really does matter.
Many bore his name—Zechariah—but he was the prophet Zechariah who helped to guide King Uzziah. In particular, he was “the teacher of the fear of God” (2 Chron 26:5, CSB), the one “who instructed him [Uzziah] in the fear of God” (ESV). It’s possible that Zechariah died during Uzziah’s reign, but we learn this about Uzziah’s following God during his time of influence: “He sought God throughout the lifetime of Zechariah . . . . During the time that he sought the Lord, God gave him success” (2 Chron 26:5). Clearly, this little-known advisor made a difference in Uzziah’s life. Uzziah would later allow arrogance to lead to his destruction, but not while he was under the tutelage of Zechariah.
I’m reminded today that all of us can have a positive influence on other people as we speak the Word of the Lord to them. They may seek the Lord simply because we’ve modeled and encouraged that kind of spiritual discipline. They may sometimes listen for only a little while, but for that time they may experience the Lord’s blessing. We cannot control their future actions, but that’s not our responsibility. Our job is to proclaim the Lord today.
PRAYER: “God, don’t let me miss opportunities to be an influence in somebody’s life today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Chronicles 27-29, Acts 7:51-8:13
