Let us pursue HOLINESS, or else, we cannot see GOD!
October 6
Bible Reading: Zechariah Chapters 13-14
Let us pursue HOLINESS, or else, we cannot see GOD!
“In that day ‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD’ shall be
engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord's house shall be like
the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be
holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them
and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house
of the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 14:20-21)
God’s
purpose for His people has always been to produce His perfect holiness in them (see
Exodus 19:6; Jer. 2:3; Matt. 5:48). Just as the words “HOLINESS TO THE LORD”
was engraved on the turban of the High Priest in Israel (see Exodus 28:36), the
above passage reveals that such holiness will characterize every aspect of life
in the future messianic kingdom. These culminating verses of Zechariah’s prophecy
show how the righteous people will conduct themselves in the future, as holiness
will pervade every aspect of their lives!
In those
days even the ornamental bells of the horses will be inscribed with the same
words that were engraved upon the turban worn by the High Priest of Israel. All the vessels in the Lord’s house will be
equally holy as well as every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah. All the vessels in
private homes throughout the nation will be considered to be equally holy with
the vessels used in the service of the God in His Temple. This represents God’s
complete restoration of His people. Holiness
will in fact pervade the land and will become the way of life!
The term “Canaanite” represents anyone who is not
sanctified/made holy by God. In that day there shall be no more the Canaanite
in the house of the Lord of hosts. Never again will any unholy or ungodly
person be in God’ house. In God’s kingdom there will no longer be a distinction
between the secular and the sacred. During
that time there will be a manifestation by holiness in every aspect of daily
life. God’s search for true worshipers will be realized in a company of
devoted, holy people. Finally, “the
kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,
and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev. 11:15).
God’s plans
never fail and He will complete what He has set out to do. This is a great
message of hope to all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28–31).
When God’s kingdom fully comes, His holiness will permeate every part of life
as His presence will sanctify all around Him. God’s requirement for us to live
a holy life is nonnegotiable. We have
to commit to live exclusively for God in the way He has instructed in His Word.
Let us depend on the Holy Spirit to accomplish the things that God has called
us to do (see Zech. 4:1–6). Let us practice honesty, truth, integrity, and
justice in all our interpersonal dealings.
Can we
examine our hearts today and avoid any form of insincerity or hypocrisy in our
daily acts of service? (See Zech. 8:16, 17) Let us pursue holiness on a daily
basis, without which we cannot see God
(Heb. 12:14).
