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"I will strengthen Judah and save Israel; I will restore them because of my compassion. It will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the LORD their God, who will hear their cries. Zechariah 10:6 NLT
Jim Elliot once wrote, “Most laws condemn the soul and pronounce sentence. The result of the law of my God is perfect. It condemns but forgives. It restores—more than abundantly—what it takes away.”
Elliot’s words were influenced by readings like today’s. Zechariah reminded God’s people that after receiving His forgiveness, they would live as though He had never rejected them. God knew His people needed this reminder. They still do. Believers live, too often, like their repentance only produces forgiveness, rather than restoration.
In today’s reading, Zechariah also performs a linguistic miracle. Five hundred years before Jesus dies, Zechariah prophesies about the one who was “pierced” (Zechariah 12:10), a prophecy fulfilled when Jesus was “pierce” on the cross (John 19:31-37). But even this prophetic miracle dims in comparison to the kind of forgiveness Jesus’ sacrifice offers. His death not only frees people from the death they deserve, His sacrifice restores them “more than abundantly.” That is the enduring character in God’s generous compassion. As Zechariah put it earlier, “Return…I will restorer twice as much to you” (Zechariah 9:12).
Prayer: Father, help me to live like a son who has been not just forgiven but also restored!
Jim Elliot once wrote, “Most laws condemn the soul and pronounce sentence. The result of the law of my God is perfect. It condemns but forgives. It restores—more than abundantly—what it takes away.”
Elliot’s words were influenced by readings like today’s. Zechariah reminded God’s people that after receiving His forgiveness, they would live as though He had never rejected them. God knew His people needed this reminder. They still do. Believers live, too often, like their repentance only produces forgiveness, rather than restoration.
In today’s reading, Zechariah also performs a linguistic miracle. Five hundred years before Jesus dies, Zechariah prophesies about the one who was “pierced” (Zechariah 12:10), a prophecy fulfilled when Jesus was “pierce” on the cross (John 19:31-37). But even this prophetic miracle dims in comparison to the kind of forgiveness Jesus’ sacrifice offers. His death not only frees people from the death they deserve, His sacrifice restores them “more than abundantly.” That is the enduring character in God’s generous compassion. As Zechariah put it earlier, “Return…I will restorer twice as much to you” (Zechariah 9:12).
Prayer: Father, help me to live like a son who has been not just forgiven but also restored!
