Title: Pursue the Grace of Restoration
Zechariah (30) Seek the grace of restoration (Zechariah 10:1-7)
<Don't be deceived>
The text describes the appearances of the coming of the Messiah and says, “In the spring rain, ask for rain from the Lord, the Lord who sends lightning” (verse 1). The Israelites eagerly await two rains a year. The first rain is 'autumn rain' in the fall, and it is called 'early rain' because it is the rain that falls before sowing. The second rain is ‘spring rain’ in spring, and it is called ‘late rain’ because it is rain that falls before harvest.
The ‘early rain’ that falls in autumn symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit during the early church, and the ‘late rain’ that falls in spring symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit that will come anew in the last days before the second coming of the Lord (before the harvest). The last time is the age of great grace. So when you ask for rain, God answers with showers of rain (verse 1). In the last days, the reason God's work of grace is more active is because it is a difficult time, and deep grace is needed.
On the other hand, in the last days, grace abounds, so fakes abound. At the end of the day, “Revealed! prophesy! The saints suffer because of false people who say, “I dream!” (verse 2). Superstition believes in fate and nepotism and believes that life is fatefully determined. On the other hand, believers believe in the promises of God. The promise is so clear that it is said to be predestination, but the predestination is not a predestination in the sense of ‘everything has been decided’, but a predestination in the sense of ‘everything has been promised’. True faith is to live abundantly day by day according to the word of God based on God's promises.
Don't get too hung up on dreams and revelations. One day, a woman heard a vivid revelation every night. It was a revelation to marry someone from the same church. The man was a married man, and he had no such visions or revelations. Still, the woman begged him to marry him, and he harassed the man's wife by calling him to yield him because he had lived so far. It is not a revelation from God.
In the revelation of Cornelius given to invite Peter in Acts 10, a revelation was also given to Peter to respond to Cornelius' invitation at the same time. Through that scene, we realize the unity and synchronicity of revelation. It is wise to listen only to your curious personal dreams and revelations and let them go. Always be a blessed saint who sees God's promises and words more and more preciously than any strange phenomenon.
< Pursue the grace of recovery >
In the end times, Israel will return to God and great power will be given to them (verses 3-7). The restoration of Israel means the restoration of spiritual Israelite believers. He is the God of restoration. Even if you are weak now, you will be reborn as a strong being when the time is right. So, don't give up on your bright dreams. Do not despair in a hopeless environment, and do not become weak by seeing yourself weak.
Joseph, who had a brilliant dream, was framed and imprisoned, but he excelled in prison without falling into self-pity and grief. He did not immerse himself in feelings of betrayal and unfairness, but held on to the God of restoration and kept his soul from despair.
He lived like that, and in prison, he interprets the chief cupbearer's dreams and thinks that there is a light of daylight, but the cupbearer did not remember Joseph after he was released. Still, Joseph did not lose his dream and held on to the God of Joy. His waiting was not in vain. Finally, he became Prime Minister at once by interpreting Pharaoh's dreams through the chief of the cupbearer. That is how God works.
God is the source of power. Through his power, he defeats the dreadful enemy. In particular, the most terrifying enemy is “something that binds you” rather than “the unforgivable person.” How sad would it be if you had to spend months or years in a conflict relationship because of your pride over a problem that could be solved with just one word of cover, a warm hug, and a smile? Now, put away the pride that keeps us from doing good, trust the God of restoration and seek the grace of restoration. God has placed the handle of blessing on our side.