Momma always said, “You would save a lot of time and energy if you would just do what I tell you to do the first time.”  Sigh—my response.

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.  You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did”. James 2:18-22, NIV

It is our behaviors that will always expose our hearts with the truth in what we believe.

Zechariah 6, The Message

Eighth Vision: Four Chariots

Once again I looked up—another strange sight! Four chariots charging out from between two mountains. The mountains were bronze.

^2-3 The first chariot was drawn by red horses, the second chariot by black horses, the third chariot by white horses, and the fourth chariot by dappled horses. All the horses were powerful.

⁴ I asked the Messenger-Angel, “Sir, what’s the meaning here?”

^5-7 The angel answered, “These are the four winds of heaven, which originate with the Master of the whole earth. The black horses are headed north with the white ones right after them. The dappled horses are headed south.” The powerful horses galloped out, bursting with energy, eager to patrol through the earth. The Messenger-Angel commanded: “On your way! Survey the earth!” and they were off in every direction.

⁸ Then he called to me and said, “Look at them go! The ones going north are conveying a sense of my Spirit, serene and secure. No more trouble from that direction.”

A Man Named Branch

^9-12 Then this Message from God came to me: “Take up a collection from the exiles. Target Heldai, Tobiah, and Jedaiah. They’ve just arrived from Babylon. You’ll find them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Collect silver and gold from them and fashion crowns. Place one on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and give him this message:

^12-13 “‘A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies. Be alert. We have a man here whose name is Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of God. Yes, he’s the one. He’ll build the Temple of God. Then he’ll assume the role of royalty, take his place on the throne and rule—a priest sitting on the throne!—showing that king and priest can coexist in harmony.’

¹⁴ “The other crown will be in the Temple of God as a symbol of royalty, under the custodial care of Helem, Tobiah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah.

¹⁵ “People will come from faraway places to pitch in and rebuild the Temple of God. This will confirm that God-of-the-Angel-Armies did, in fact, send me to you. All this follows as you put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your God.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Listen and follow the voice of God to obey responsively. 

But how do we follow who we do not know?  We cannot.  Therefore:

• Know God by accepting His Son who died for us.  This is the beginning.
• Know that when we accept His Son, Jesus as Savior, and repent of our sins, His Holy Spirit comes to live in us. 
• Read about God in His Word given to us as a love letter to us!
• Know that God begins His intimate growing relationship with us at the time of our coming to Him with all that in us.  The more we know Him, the easier His voice is to hear.  Just like any relationship, the closer we come, the better we hear with understanding.
• Picture our God who delights in us as His creation, who throws open His arms of unconditional love and acceptance into His Kingdom thinking that begins to transform our thinking.  At this point His voice is becoming more recognizable and easier to hear.
• Know who He is and what He promises to do.  Zechariah explained God’s message to the high priest and the witnesses. He must have told them that both Zerubbabel and Jeshua were “wondrous signs” of things to come. Zechariah is telling that Jesus is coming to earth to save the world whom God loves.  Jesus did come to earth centuries later as the Son of Man/Son of God who lived His life on earth always listening for the Voice of God.  Jesus responding obediently to the Voice, even to the point of laying down His life for ours on a cruel cross for our sins. Jesus’ body was put in a borrowed grave, but then, three days later, the Voice shouted, “Arise!”  Jesus rose from the grave, defeating death forever!  As promised by God, Jesus become King of kings and Lord of lords forever.  As promised by God, EVERY knee will bow at the feet of the One and Only who saved us from our sins!  Jesus is our Hope!  Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life.  Jesus is the start of our relationship with God.
• Know that God is with us always.  God always keeps His promises.

Pause to pray, commune with God right now, asking Him,

• Lord, am I living a life of responsive obedience to your Voice?
• Am I taking time to really listen after prayer for your direction?
• Am I doing what you say or going my own way?

The crown kept sacred for “the day of the Lord.”  It belonged to the coming Messiah. Zechariah placed the crown somewhere in the temple as a reminder of the Lord’s promise of a King-Priest who would bring peace and holiness to His people.  And He did.

All this follows as you put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your God.”

Lord,

Help me to hear you, to really hear you specifically, with understanding.  Open my eyes to your glory at work all around us.  Open my ears to hear with understanding as I listen to instruction and direction for my life.  Continue your work of salvation that bears your growing character traits in me.  I’m yours and I’m listening, ready to obey.  I trust in you, dear Jesus, King of kings and Lord of Lords forever.

In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen