How Many Times Have You Been Called Back?

Zechariah 1:1-6

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:

“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors.  Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.  Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.  Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever?  But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?

“Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’”

Today, we begin looking at the wild and wacky book of Zechariah.  It’s one of the longer books among the minor prophets and it’s filled with strange images, dreams and poems all thrown together in a seemingly chaotic way (If you don’t believe me, read it yourself).  Zechariah himself was a contemporary and colleague of Haggai and they worked together to speak God’s message to the returning exiles in Jerusalem.  In the opening charge of Zechariah above, the returning exiles are called to return to God as well as Jerusalem.  He warns the people not to be like their ancestors before them that did not listen to the prophets.  There was a reckoning with God because of their ancestors disobedience and the exile was that reckoning. “Don’t repeat that mistake,” was Zechariah’s message.

“Return to me. . .and I[The Lord Almighty] will return to you”

That message from God is whispered to everyone in any generation who has wandered away.  Since I committed my life to the Lord at the age of 12, there have been many times when I was the intended hearer of that whisper from God.  I ran after other things and left my faith behind.  At other times, I actually thought I was doing okay but, in a clear-headed moment, realized that it had been way too long since I had prayed in any earnest way.  I’ve picked up unhealthy habits. I’ve become obsessively distracted by things that really don’t matter.  I’ve gotten drawn into divisions that help no one.  When I take stock of all the different ways that I’ve walked away from God, I’m reminded of the humorous old song from Paul Simon, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”  “Just slip out the back Jack. . .make a new plan Stan . . . you don’t need to be coy Roy. . . just get yourself free.”  You get the idea.

But every time I do, at some point, I hear the call of God, “Return to me. . .and I will return to you.”  I’m amazed that God never tires of issuing that call.  To be honest, I would have stopped long ago.  But I’m so grateful God never does.  Listen. . . . really listen. . . I can hear it again right now.  How about you?

Prayer:  God, we are lost without you.  We turn toward you and find that you have already turned toward us.  We praise you for your faithful and never-tiring love for us.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for people today who do thankless and seemingly invisible jobs every day without ever being acknowledged for their faithfulness.  And maybe you could also take time to thank one of them today.

Song:  Mahalia Jackson – Just As I Am