When I think of the Old Testament, I think of the wrath of God. It is very difficult for me to see God’s love because it seems like He is always telling people to repent to flee from His wrath. Today, God has given me a new perspective on His love.
Recently, I read Haggai and noticed that God gave Haggai a word for the people two months in a row—in the sixth and seventh months of the second year of King Darius. Today, I began reading Zechariah and realized God gave the people yet another chance and warning to return to Him. This time, the word God gave them was in the eighth month of the second year of King Darius. This means God was trying to get His people to return to Him quickly. There is a sense of urgency here. God wants people to delight in Him because He created us for this. God is warning His people because He loves them. The longer it takes us to repent and return to God, the harder our hearts get.
We arrived in Thailand yesterday and encountered heavy atmospheres full of spiritual warfare. When I reflect on Zechariah, I can’t help but think God is using us to call these people back to Him. God is extending His loving hand to these people by sending us to tell them about His love. God is trying to trying to make a way for these people. He mourns for them because He knows the only satisfaction we can obtain is in Him. The people we walk past in the streets are enslaved to sexual perversion. The awesome part about us being here is that we are following the example of Jesus by visiting the “prostitutes.” We have to continue in this example by loving on these people. We are called to build relationships with these people. They want to be loved.
