Title: Three Words for a Successful Life
Contents
Zechariah (2) Three words for a successful life (Zechariah 1:1-6)
1. Start with repentance.
The text contains the first word of God delivered by Zechariah. Because it is the first message to be preached, it is also the most necessary message for a successful life. Zechariah promises the blessing of the Messianic kingdom through various visions and prophecies. What is the first challenge before setting out on the road toward that wonderful blessing? That is ‘repentance’ (verses 2-3). Repentance is the starting point of blessing and the starting point of solving problems. Also, repentance is the most obvious prerequisite for answering prayer. If you want true blessings, problem solving, and prayer answers, start with ‘repentance’.
Repentance is not just about repenting of sins. People usually have repentance when they commit a sin, but it shouldn't end there. The true meaning of repentance is turning from sin and returning to God (v. 3). Why return to God? Because you cannot overcome sin alone. After all, the confession of true repentance is this kind of confession. "God! I cannot live without God.” If you always keep that confession on your lips, God's blessings will not cease.
2. Listen to the Word.
Why was God angry with the people of Israel? It was because they did not heed God's word to return from their evil ways and deeds (verse 4). These words are also the words of God to modern believers. How much has the authority of the Word fallen to the ground these days? In the old days, it was said that he listened to simple and in-depth words well, and that even if a small moving story came out, he shed tears and received grace. A lot of that feeling is gone now.
Among the actions of our ancestors, the one thing we should not imitate the most is not listening to God's word, and today's saints are in such a situation. Of course, that doesn't mean not listening to everything. “Success! Get well! Bless you!” I hear the words very well. But I don't hear the saying, "Depart from your evil ways and deeds!" So I am excited to hear stories about receiving blessings because I believed, but I said, “Let’s believe rightly! Let's pray hard and sweat hard! Let's put away our evil ways and evil deeds and live a righteous life!”, people often say, “What kind of noise are you talking about?” I don’t listen very well.
The words, “You too may receive gifts, powers, and blessings!” are of great strength. However, if there is no word about “how do you receive it?”, the side effects are also great. So, there is a saying that there is ‘church growth’ but no ‘church revival’. A true believer is one who receives grace from the word “Let’s believe rightly!” and feels grateful for the word. The Lord blessed Mary who listened to the word more than Martha who served. “Maria chose the good side.” So choose the good side, and have ears to hear the word graciously and to listen with gratitude.
3. Never leave God.
The Israelites eventually became captives to Babylon because they did not listen to God's word. Then they confess, “God has done our ways and our works” (verse 6). That confession emphasized that there is no way apart from God. Why do people become unhappy? For only one reason. It is because they have left God. All crises in life arise from leaving God. Ultimately, where there is no God, happiness disappears, and where God is, happiness comes.
Never leave God's bosom under any circumstances. Confess if you have any problems. "God! I was wrong before God. Without God there is no way.” The most beautiful and noble thing for a person is a humble confession of faith. If holy silence is like gold, the profession of faith is like gold. There is only one way to overcome problems and hardships, not 'avoiding responsibility', not 'excuses', or 'tips', but only 'rediscovering God's bosom and God's will'. When man returns to God, God returns to man (verse 2).