I love it when people inspire me. It can be like kindling to a fire and getting me off my sofa and back into the gym, or their words and actions can ignite my thought pattern, resulting in a much-needed change. What I don’t like, however, is when my life is on fire and the flames are destroying everything. Cancer rips apart families. Mental ill-health can harm a loved one’s heart, mind, and soul for a season or longer. Words wrongly spoken hurt us, and being told you’re not good enough may discourage us from following our dreams. Substance abuse creates a web of lies and deceit and a life-long struggle for recovery. Financial woes increase the burden on a family’s shoulders as they work out which bills to pay.
And, when these fires happen, sometimes we’re equipped to deal with the problems that arise. We seek support and help early to face the fire head-on; we access medical support, financial advice, and the help of loved ones to extinguish the flames of the situation.
At other times, though, we avoid dealing with the bonfire in front of us because it’s too hard. Maybe instead of nourishing our bodies with nutritious food, we binge on chips and salsa, chocolate, and our other favorite foods because, just for a moment, the salt and sweet taste release dopamine in our brain, making us feel better even if only for a few minutes. Or we purchase the item we’ve had our eye on even though we can’t afford it, raising our credit card debt.
Once the fire has died down, the charred remains leave us filthy and sifting through the debris, reconciling our lives as they are now. Maybe you did lose the house, your family member passed away, or perhaps it’s something where you just feel overwhelmed by life and the daily struggle.
But there’s hope in those flames, and the charred remains. And it’s found in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah was a priest and a prophet. His book encouraged his people but was also challenging as he spoke of God’s desire for a restored relationship with them. It’s a message that’s still applicable today. In Zechariah 3:1-4 CSB, he shares a vision;
Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
Now Joshua was dressed with filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. So the angel of the Lord spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.”
God loved Joshua, and the angel of the Lord protected him. Yet, still, Satan stood by his side, ready to accuse him. That’s the same with us. God loves us, but Satan stands by our side, ready to prosecute.
The Lord rescued Joshua from the burning fire he was facing and saw the tarnish it had left on him. And, then, stripped it all away to clean, restore, and heal him. Not only this, but God gave Joshua hope as he declared a promise;
If you walk in my ways and keep my mandates, you will both rule my house and take care of my courts; I will also grant you access among these who are standing here.
Zechariah 3:7 CSB
But, then, my favorite part of this chapter is that we get a glimpse of the promise for us, too. Zechariah lived about 500 years before Jesus. But, the Lord told Zechariah:
I will take away the iniquity of this land in a single day. On that day, each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree.
Zechariah 3:9-10 CSB
He was predicting what Jesus would do! Like God washed away Zechariah’s iniquity, he cleaned away ours when Jesus died. Then, he invited you and I to sit under his vine and fig tree and enjoy those fruits in our lives. And, as we rest, we can remember that Jesus picks us from the fire, defends us from the accusations of Satan, and then clothes us ready for a party.
A love letter from God …
Dear lovely one,
There was a time when you stood before me and you were filthy with sin. But as you accepted my son who died for you on the cross as the Lord and Savior of your life, I washed those sins away. Those wrongs no longer taint you but may still have consequences as you live out your life. However, you are no longer alone as you deal with them, for I will help and bless you as you sit under the vine and the fig tree. I will feed you with food to nourish your body and help you grow. I will tend the branches of your life and prune away anything that’s unhealthy. So take a moment and invite your neighbor to join you as you worship me, for I’ve clothed you with the finest clothes, and you are ready to party for me.
I see you, my beloved; I love you.
And, I am with you always.
Love, God