Monday, December 16, 2013

Jenifer Bluhm
Adult Choir, VBS Leader, REACH

Listen to this Devotional.

Zechariah 4:1-14

4The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as one is wakened from sleep. 2He said to me, ‘What do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it; there are seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.’ 4I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’ 5Then the angel who talked with me answered me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 6He said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’

8 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel.

‘These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.’ 11Then I said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?’ 12And a second time I said to him, ‘What are these two branches of the olive trees, which pour out the oil* through the two golden pipes?’ 13He said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 14Then he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.’

Devotional

Be Like Zechariah

Zechariah had visions
AND a helpful angel on hand to interpret.
Our experience may be more subtle, but we can strive to discern God’s messages.
Advent is an observing time -- There are gifts from God
in Bible readings, church sermons, prayer, personal interactions, and individual contemplation.

Be Like Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel’s mountainous building project was accomplished by the Spirit of God. God was glad to have the human hands of Zerubbabel to hold the plumb line and place the capstone.
We can use OUR hands to conduct God’s work. Let people recognize the hand of God in our Advent tasks, interactions, and projects. and cheer and bless our results “Grace to it!”

Be An Olive Tree

God’s oil lamps are eternal and all-seeing. and give a constant light.
They burn with no-one tending to the wicks and oil supply.
The olive trees on each side give fuel to the lamps.

Can we be anointed ones standing beside God and feeding the lamp?
Be a watcher/listener/anointed one
contributing your heart to the steady flame of God.
Amen.

Additional Readings

Psalm 50; Rev. 4:9-5:5; Matt. 25:1-13