Old Testament Scripture Reading: Zec 12:1 – 9 ( KJV)
Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Zec 12:4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
Zec 12:5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Luke 12:29 – 34 (KJV)
Luk 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luk 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Luk 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) We learn from the prophecies of God that He is “all knowing” and that even when He predicts devastation and calamity because of unbelievers and even when situations of extreme turmoil are involved; God always has a bright silver lining within every situation of darkness for His elected people, and therefore, them and (only them) can pour a little more faith, hope and love into their anti-fear tank! (This is true of the whole Word of God!)
2) In the days of Zechariah, as in many other periods of the first 28 generations from Abraham to King David and David till Israel was about to be taken captive into Gentile territories under the tyranny of hostile, godless rulers, the Words of God spoken through the prophets were always for the purpose of proving God’s sovereignty over all things, but more importantly to provide an internal sense of comfort for the people who He had chosen so that they could spiritually top off the anti-fear tank and endure no matter how out of sync things became!
3) In the time of the First Advent of Jesus, Israel had been tossed to & fro for 14 generations and had suffered as a nation under the domination of many hostile hater nations, and was at that very time under Roman domination which provoked Jesus to speak to His “Little Flock” telling them Fear not!” because it is the Father’s good pleasure to GIVE THEM THE KINGDOM; and He had come to give His life to seal the deal!