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Robert Hawker

Zechariah 12:8

Zechariah 12:8
Robert Hawker February, 1 2016 3 min read
730 Articles 1 Sermon 30 Books
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February, 1 2016
Robert Hawker
Robert Hawker 3 min read
730 articles 1 sermons 30 books
What does the Bible say about God's promise to Jerusalem in Zechariah 12:8?

Zechariah 12:8 assures that God will defend His people and empower the weak among them.

In Zechariah 12:8, God promises to defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, indicating His protective and empowering presence among His people. This passage reveals that those who are weak and feeble will be strengthened, likened to David, illustrating the transformation of the believers through God's grace. It highlights the assurance that, through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are not only accepted in Him but are also strengthened in their spiritual walk, empowered to grow in grace and knowledge. Thus, this scripture emphasizes the relationship between God's promises and our spiritual growth in the New Testament context.

Zechariah 12:8

How do we know that believers are strengthened by God's grace?

Believers are strengthened by God's grace as they are united with Christ, becoming strong as David.

The assurance found in Zechariah 12:8 emphasizes that God's grace enables believers to become strong, reflecting the strength of David. This is not a result of their own merit but rather a manifestation of their union with Christ, the ultimate David. Each believer, through their relationship with Jesus, shares in His strength and righteousness. As they grow in faith, they are reminded to continually seek deeper communion with Him, highlighting the importance of an active and thriving spiritual life grounded in grace. This ongoing reliance on God's strength assures believers that even in their weakness, they can find empowerment in Christ.

Zechariah 12:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Why is spiritual growth important for Christians according to Zechariah 12:8?

Spiritual growth is crucial as it empowers believers to reflect Christ's strength and righteousness.

Spiritual growth is foundational for Christians as it allows them to embody the strength and righteousness that comes from their relationship with Jesus. Zechariah 12:8 illustrates how the weak among God's people can become as strong as David through divine empowerment. This transformation is essential for a fruitful Christian life; when believers grow spiritually, they not only experience greater intimacy with God but also better reflect His glory to the world. The challenge of stagnation in spiritual growth commonly seen among Christians calls for a renewed commitment to seek God daily, leading to a deeper understanding of His promises and a stronger faith that can impact others positively.

Zechariah 12:8, Philippians 3:12-14

In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he that is feeble among them at that day, shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them."—Zech. xii. 8.

— Zechariah 12:8

My soul! in the calculation of times and seasons, thou art entering this day upon a new month; stand still and consider what progress thou art making in the spiritual path. Here is a sweet promise for the gospel dispensation. It is an old testament promise to be fulfilled in a new testament day. The weak and feeble, in our spiritual David, being really and truly in David, shall be as David, that is, strong in the grace and strength that are in Christ Jesus. And the whole house of David, every true believer in Jesus, shall be as Jesus; that is, so accounted before God, as one in Christ, and accepted in him the beloved; for in the eye of God, and of his holy law, they are one and the same. But what a sad consideration is it, that the progress in the divine life, here set forth, is so seldom sought after by the people of God! We are, for the most part, satisfied to have made our calling and election sure, and do not seem to feel it much at heart, that frequently the soul goes lean, and is feeble in spiritual attainments. My soul! let me impress it upon thy most serious consideration, this evening, how needful it is to have this sweet promise brought home, and proved in thy daily experience. Is not Jesus, in his person, work, and righteousness to be continually improved in soul-acquaintance and communion? Should I not seek to preserve a constant communication with my Lord? Whenever I consider his fulness, which is all for his people, surely I ought to send forth a desire for a renewed token of his love. And yet when I come to sit down in the evening, and to look back upon what hath passed between my Lord and me, through the day, alas! how little hath my soul been going forth in desires after him, and in enjoying communion with him! Come, blessed Jesus! come I pray thee, and let my awakened faculties be exercised upon thy person, blood, and righteousness, until this sweet promise be mine, and I find my feebleness becoming strength in my Lord. Let the growing acquaintance with thee, of one day, be made the step for desiring greater knowledge, and greater enjoyment of thee, for the next day; and let my earnest soul be pressing after fresh discoveries of thee, and for sweet manifestations from thee every day, in greater frequency, and in more enlarged views of thy glory. Oh! for grace from my Lord, for the liveliest actings of faith, and love, and praise, and every longing desire upon and towards him whose name is; "the Lord our righteousnes;" that the grace and good-will, the mercy and kindness of God my Saviour, may be my daily song, and evening delight, in this house of my pilgrimage!

From Poor Man's Evening Portions by Robert Hawker.
Robert Hawker
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Devotionals

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