Pocket Thoughts - 1/2/26

God * will bring those who hold fast to His covenant to His holy mountain * calls His people to share with the hungry and to provide for the poor * gives His joy to those who honor His Sabbath.

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In the Old Testament, God chose men through the centuries to deliver His messages to His people. These prophets most often spoke up when Israel needed a course correction. Zechariah was one of those prophets. He confronted the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s Temple. Discouraged by their enemies and disheartened by the Temple’s lack of former glory and majesty, the people had deserted work on the Temple and turned to building luxurious homes for themselves.  The Temple work was neglected for ten years. Then Zechariah came to the people with the word of the Lord. God reminded them of their heritage. Other Israelites who had disregarded God’s direction had suffered the consequences of their decisions. Through Zechariah’s prophecy, God was giving this generation of Israelites an opportunity to return to Him and to experience the blessings of obedience. Not much has changed over the centuries. People still tend to blame their circumstances or the environment in which they grew up or the influences of toxic family members for their poor decisions. While those factors may make change difficult, we can’t abdicate our own personal responsibility in choosing to follow God and His ways. It’s been said that we’re all one choice away from a different life. God in His mercy gives us not only the option to live for Him, but the power and the roadmap to do so (through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit and through His Word). You’re not constrained to pass down generational “curses.” God is calling you to choose His way to life and blessing. – TV

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There is an enemy of your soul, and he does not act alone. In Revelation 9, one of Satan’s underlings is “the angel of the Abyss” who leads tormenting locusts in their attack on unrepentant humanity. In this scene, he goes by “Abaddon” (Hebrew) and “Apollyon” (Greek) which both translate to “Destroyer.” In the many different accounts of spiritual warfare given in the Bible, Satan and his armies are always focused on two ends – to keep lost souls in torment and to persecute God’s beloved people.  In these battles, the ultimate sovereignty of God prevails. He sets the limits. He controls the timing and the severity of what He uses to execute His judgment on wickedness and evil. The hope is that the lost world may cry out to God for rescue – His deep desire. The beloved may suffer but know that their Father has eternal plans for them that spiritual warfare can’t take from them. Tragically, even in this horrific scene of attack by these grotesque locusts, people still refuse God’s grace and long for death over His mercy. Friends, our enemy is real, and he’s leading our lost loved ones away into captivity. Pray for them! And pray that God will equip and use us in the battle for the souls of the lost, that they may be rescued from the day of judgment. God Almighty will prevail against the enemy – whose end is coming. – TV

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Moses’ instructions for the Passover meal required that the Israelites be dressed and ready for travel. They were to eat the meal quickly because they would soon be on the run from Pharaoh. The Israelites followed the instructions to the letter as an act of faith. They were told this impending journey would lead them to a freedom they’d not yet tasted, and they believed. What are you trusting God for in this leg of your journey? No matter how far-fetched it may sound to others, do everything in your power to prepare for what’s ahead as your expression of faith in your Faithful God. Live ready so that when the Lord moves, you’re set to follow Him without hesitation. – TV

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Lord, thank You for roadblocks. I pray every day that You’ll deliver me from evil, and those red flags are Your direct answer to my prayer. Where I’ve already taken a step or two into enemy territory, alert me so that I quickly return to Your safety. Open my eyes to the perils I flirt with so that I see the deadly end they lead to. Yes, the enemy is deceptive, but You’ve blessed me with a functioning sense of reason, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and access to the Wellspring of Wisdom. No excuses acceptable – only confession and repentance. In seasons of peace, help me to sharpen the weapons necessary to fight for obedience and faithfulness. Make me ready, Lord. I serve for Your honor and glory. Keep me from disgracing Your holy Name in moments when I let down my guard. Thank You for empowering me by Your Spirit. In the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.

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“Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things – he tempts us to make us lose what God has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to God.” – Oswald Chambers

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.” – Psalm 51:10-13