Zechariah 8:1-3

[1] And the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying, [2] “Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. [3] Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain.

Four principles stand out in this chapter as God speaks to his people, the Jews. First, God is jealous/zealous for his people. Some versions translate the word “jealous” and others “zealous.” It comes from an unused root word meaning read-faced. It would be a word that would be used for an individual blushing over their love interest, or red-faced in anger. In other words, God is passionate about his people.


Being passionate for his people, the second principle is that God’s discipline will always move to blessing. Hebrews 12:6 tells us, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” In Revelation 3:19 God says, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” God’s discipline is not because he hates us, or is rejecting us, but because he loves us. His purpose is always to move us to blessing.


Therefore, the third principle is that we ought to take courage even in the small advances in ministry. In verses 8-10 God reminds his people that he knows how difficult it was to lay the foundation of the temple. Resources were short. Opposition was strong. Yet they had been faithful and God was going to bless that. In ministry it is easy to look at the “success” of others and wonder what we are doing. What are we doing wrong? Why does God not appear to bless our work? Why is ministry so difficult? But God has not abandoned us. He sees the difficulties. He knows the pain. He honors the sacrifice. He will bring fruit from the seeds we have sown, even if we never get to see the fruit. Take courage.

The fourth principle is a reminder that God’s discipline is always for our good, and he will advance his kingdom. Discipline is sometimes a rebuke. Sometimes it is more like the discipline of an athlete who faithfully works out in preparation for a competition. Either way, God’s discipline is always for our good. Ultimately he is working for his purposes and his glory. He will advance his kingdom. Our part is not to produce success. Our part is to be faithful and trust him. He will advance his kingdom, often in ways we could never have anticipated.

As believers, God is passionate about us. We ought then to take courage. God will accomplish his purpose. We can rest in his sovereign passion, discipline, faithfulness, and purpose. Today, take courage in small successes, even if the current success is simply that of not slipping backward in a difficult situation. God is faithful. He will accomplish his purpose in you. Rest in that truth. Take courage!

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