August 13, 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Zachariah 2:7, 8 “ Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwells with the daughter of Babylon. For thus says, the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.”
From the above context we understand that our God delivered his children namely the Israelites from the captivity of Babylon and after he attained the glory of God he came into the world to redeem the children of God from the hands of this world, that is corrupt and evil. God looks at Zion (The Children of God) and admonishes them to come out of Babylon and not to engage themselves in the lust of the flesh and sinful activities like the people of Babylon.
Prophet Zachariah compares Babylon to that of this world, which has become more like Babylon so wicked and evil in the sight of God. God is worried that no one should pluck his children from his hands. So He says, “For he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.” He considers his children so precious in his sight. The Bible says, “The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.”God expects his children to walk in the fear of God. God is Almighty, God says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which was and which is and which is to come, the Almighty” “to whom all power is given in heaven and in earth.”
When king David was in deep distress, he said, Let us fall into the hands of the Lord for his mercy is great. Rather than fall into human hands.”Apostle Paul refers in his Epistle to the Hebrews, saying “Let us approach Gods throne of grace, with confidence, so that we may receive the mercy of God and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
One day a young man came to see me. He said. “Sir, I have committed a sin, but my conscious pricks me. What should I do? Will God forgive me of my sin?’’ So I decided to come to the Prayer Tower, “A place of Refuge” and ask God to forgive me of all my sins that I have committed until this day. He asked me if God would forgive him of all his wicked deeds and give him an opportunity to live a fresh clean life. I told him, “When God could forgive the woman who was caught in the act of adultery and granted her another opportunity to live a fresh life, will he not forgive you, and give you one more opportunity to live. The tears you have shed is the sign of your repentance.”
This young man was very scared, he even went for blood test to ensure if he was attacked by any disease, due to his sinful habits. I told him, that if he confessed his sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He confessed to God with great fear, and since he admitted his faults, and confessed his sins, God changed his tears of sorrow and pain to tears of joy. God gave him a new life. He went home rejoicing.
God expects that you need to fear him. He questions saying, A son honours his father, And a servant his master, If then I am the Father, where is My honour? And if I am a Master, Then where is My reverence? God commands us to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, and for our survival. The Psalmist says, “ How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for those who fear you?” Therefore I urge you dear Brothers and Sisters, to fear God at all times to enjoy life of fullness. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord we thank You for enlightening us, about Your power and Your supremacy. That You are Almighty God. Help us to fear You with all humbleness of heart. May we learn to live a God fearing life and not involve in sinful ways. Teach us to come out of the captivity of Babylon, and live a life acceptable in the sight of God.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.