Here are my thoughts and highlights from Zechariah as I continue my journey through the Bible:

  • God cares very deeply for his people. "I feel very possessive of them."
  • "Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence before God. Something’s afoot in his holy house. He’s on the move!" If I don’t regularly quiet myself and listen, I may miss a move of God.
  • God really wants us to love each other. "At that time, everyone will get along with one another, with friendly visits across the fence, friendly visits on one another’s porches."
  • "Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings?" I desperately want to be a part of a ministry that impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the world, but I also need to embrace our situation today when the ministry is small.
  • Be alert.
  • "Put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your God."
  • "Should we plan for a day of mourning and abstinence next August." I knew there was a reason why August wasn’t my favorite month of the year.
  • "You’re interested in religion, I’m interested in people." What’s my focus? Am I encouraging people to be more religious or to care more deeply about others?
  • "God became angry, really angry, because he told them everything plainly and they wouldn’t listen to a word he said."
  • Don’t be afraid.
  • "Keep your lives simple and honest." Sounds like a simply strategic idea.
  • When God does something amazing through a group of people, others are interested in learning more. "People and their leaders will come from all over to see what’s going on. The leaders will confer with one another: ‘Shouldn’t we try to get in on this? Get in on God’s blessing?…What’s keeping us? Let’s go!’"
  • "Religious experts spout rubbish. They pontificate hot air." God, please don’t let me become religious.
  • "I know their pain and will make them good as new. They’ll get a fresh start, as if nothing had ever happened."
  • Part of my responsibility as a dad is to pass the God-sightings on to my children. I need to "keep the story alive" with them.