Thurs.’s Devo - The Branch

Read: Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Revelation 15:1-8; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28 When Zechariah looked into the spirit again he saw four chariots coming from between two bronze mountains. The first was pulled by red horses, the second by black, the third by white and the fourth by powerful gray horses. These are the four spirits of heaven that stand before the Lord and go out to do his work. The chariot with black horses were to be sent north (Babylon), the white horses were to go to the west (Medo-Persia), and the gray horses to the south (Egypt). Even though it doesn’t say it, I assume that the red horses would be sent to the east. God brought attention to the horses going to the north to Babylon because judgment was coming to Babylon. Babylon suffered desolation two years later. Zechariah was told that three men would come from Babylon bringing gifts of silver and gold. He was to meet them at Josiah’s house and receive their gifts. He was to make a crown of the silver and gold and put it on the head of Jesus, the high priest’s head and name this man “the Branch” because he was going to build the Temple of the Lord. He will not only be a priest, but a king. He was the picture of what Christ would be. At a later date, two men had been sent from Bethel to ask Zachariah if God wanted them to continue to fast in the fifth month for the destruction of the Temple. Zechariah told them to ask the people who the had fasted to during those 70 years in exile because God said they fasted to themselves, not him. He reminded them again what God says is an acceptable fast. It is to judge fairly, show mercy, and kindness to one another - not to oppress widow, orphans, foreigners, and the poor or to scheme against one another. Their ancestors had refused to listen and that is why they went into exile. In Revelation, God showed John the overcomes that had not bowed to the Anti-christ or taken his mark. They were singing praises to God. God’s Tabernacle in heaven - his holy Temple was thrown open wide and the seven angels who were holding the seven plagues came from the Temple. They were clothed in white linen with gold sashes across their chests. They were given each a gold bowl filled with the wrath of God and were sent to pour out the seven plagues on the earth. No one could enter the Temple due to the smoke from God’s glory and power. Lord, your plan is too wonderful for me to understand but I trust you with all my heart. I want to be an overcomer who chooses to praise You in the midst of all the adverse circumstances on the earth. I know that you work all things for our good.