Read: Zechariah 1:7-17; Romans 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:21-25
SOAP: 1 Peter 2:24-25
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”
Into the Text
One year after Daniel was reminded of the 70 years of exile and started praying for God to show compassion, God sent this vision to the prophet Zechariah. Zechariah was among the first groups of people to return to Jerusalem after the exile.
He had a vision of an angel and four riders on horses traveling around the earth and reporting that they found it at peace. There was a conversation between the angel and God, which conveyed three things. First, God had compassion for His people. Secondly, God was greatly displeased with the nations who had taken His grace for granted. Lastly, the Lord’s people would return, and He would rebuild, comfort, and validate them. Under Him, they would again prosper.
There can be times when we are tempted to sin and think, “It doesn’t matter if I do this. God will forgive me!” Yet, this is a dangerous attitude to have. It doesn’t realize how ugly sin is and what it cost God to deal with it.
God is good, patient, merciful, and gracious. He offers us free grace when we repent and ask for His forgiveness. But, because He is holy and just, we must never play with sin. As Paul says in Romans 6, the person who willfully keeps on sinning has not understood the gospel. God not only forgives His children, He also sanctifies us through His Spirit who now lives in us.
None of us are perfect, nor will we be perfect on this side of eternity. Each of us is prone to wander off like sheep. God knows you. He knows the attitude of your heart. He loves you. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, He calls us back time and time again. He guards and keeps us, and we are safe in His flock.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for your patience, grace, mercy, and steadfast love. O Lord, forgive my arrogant attitude, which has often led me into sin. May I not take your grace for granted but may my heart be wholly devoted to you. I thank you for Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for me. I am safe in your tender, loving care. Amen.