Thought to Do Well to Jerusalem - Zechariah 8:15

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah wrote concerning the people of Judah and Israel, “thus says the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, says the LORD of hosts, and I repented not”, and in chapter eight and verse fifteen of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the LORD said to Judah and Israel, “I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem” where we read,

So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear you not.

The verse reads, “So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem ...” Zechariah began with the words, “so again have I thought” or “therefore another time I, Jehovah God, have considered, purposed and devised a plan” “in these days” which means “within these time periods and seasons” “to do well unto Jerusalem” or “to perform goodness, pleasure and that which is glad toward Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said He considered performing good and pleasant things toward the people of “Jerusalem”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and to the house of Judah: fear you not.” Zechariah continued with the words, “and to the house of Judah” or “and toward the dwelling place, abode and habitation belonging to Judah whose name means praised and is the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”: “fear you not” which means “you, Israel and Judah, do not exist as afraid, fearful and dreadful”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said He would bless the dwelling place belonging to “Judah”, and they should not be afraid nor fearful.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Zechariah how Jehovah God desired to do good things for the people of Judah and Israel. They had no need to be fearful and afraid because God was on their side. God wants us to know He loves us and is for us. He proved it when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the assurance that He is with us and we have no reason to be afraid. 

Next time Zechariah shares how the LORD says to Judah and Israel, “speak you every man truth to his neighbor” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".