READING: Haggai 2:1-9, Zechariah 1:1-6, Haggai 2:10-19, Ezra 5:2, Haggai 2:20-23, Zechariah 1:7-5:11
Today I am approaching my devotional writing differently. One of the reasons I write a daily devotion is so that I can look back some time later and (1) see if I have learned and applied anything from the past and (2) recognize where I still need to grow. With that reasoning in mind, I am revising a devotion I wrote in 2017 on Zechariah 3:1-7. Here is the revised version, followed by my reflections:
It’s a great passage of mercy and grace. Joshua, the high priest who represented the people of God, stood before the angel of the Lord, and Satan stood ready to accuse him (Zech 3:1). Joshua was 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. 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).
This passage is a reminder that salvation is God’s gift to us. In the picture that Zechariah paints, Joshua neither removed his old clothing nor clothed himself with the new; the Lord did all of that for him. And, the enemy’s accusations could not halt the grace of God. God chose to forgive Joshua, and He nullified the grounds on which the accuser stood. 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!
Today, I’m reminded that I need this reminder. It’s just too easy to take grace for granted . . . .
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you taking grace for granted today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, forgive me for neglecting grace at times. Thank You for cleansing me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Zechariah 6:1-15, Ezra 5:3-6:14, Zechariah 7:1-8:23