Wed., 12/21/16 Devotion (Zech. 8:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Zechariah 8:2, where we read these words:

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.’ "

The truth is that God is not really zealous about very many things. During our Lord Jesus Christ's first advent ministry on earth He passed by many (most) things with relative indifference. But He *was* extremely zealous for God's "house," (see Jn. 2:17). The church, the Gospel, the Sabbath, and Divine worship all matter very much to God—and they do to all the truly redeemed, as well.

The problem we fallen sinners face is that we do not naturally value what God treasures. But the well-led and informed true Christian may readjust his or her priorities, so that we begin to love what Christ loves, enjoy what He enjoys, and live for what He lives for. We will never regret doing so.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Where there is love to God, there is grieving for our sins of unkindness against Him.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]