God's Provision! (part 1 of 4)

People look a lot of directions and to a lot of things in search of STABILITY for life. The reality in this realm is that people disappoint us because they are not always as dependable and strong as we might hope. (Let us keep in mind that is the picture of our life as well.) The things trusted in are also not as enduring as they perhaps first appear. Still, though we find great strength and usefulness from the people (including the special relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ) and things with which we surround ourselves, unless our life is anchored in the trust of God we will not find the STABILITY necessary for sustaining us.

Reading through Zechariah I was struck by the following encouragement God made known through this prophet.

“(3) My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD OF HOSTS CARES FOR HIS FLOCK, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle. (4) FROM HIM SHALL COME THE CORNERSTONE, from him the TENT PEG, from him the BATTLE BOW, from him every ruler -- all of them together.” ( Zechariah 10:3-4 ESV)

The leaders of God’s people were a disappointment to Him. They were not good shepherds of His flock. However, because God cared about His flock, He would provide what would ideally fulfill the greatest needs of His people and ultimately bring blessing to us as well. There are four things mentioned that the “Lord of Hosts” would provide: the “cornerstone”, the “tent peg”, the “battle bow”, and “every ruler.” Each of these represents a different purpose and meet a different need. Perhaps we would not view them as having equal importance. However, each should be seen as holding great significance for life as well as providing a sense of great STABILITY. Let us consider for a moment the first of these four and (Lord Willing) we will consider the others over the next few days.

The “cornerstone” of a structure is of paramount significance in establishing the starting point of a structure and providing a point from which the rest of the building can be aligned. God needs to be that in our life as we also recognize Jesus as the “CORNERSTONE” ( Ephesians 2:20) of His church and our life. Is this where we look for our life to be properly built up and aligned? Just as Judah needed to look beyond the physical building of the temple and the holy city Jerusalem to more of a spiritual relationship with God, we too need to focus on the spiritual impact on our life with Jesus as the FOUNDATION ( 1 Corinthians 3:11) and “CORNERSTONE” in our individual lives and in association to our relationship with each other.

The temple was destroyed and rebuilt more than once. However, there is an enduring and more STABLE STRUCTURE of which we in Christ are a part.

Paul noted…
“(19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF BEING THE CORNERSTONE, (21) in whom the whole structure, being joined together, GROWS INTO A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD. (22) In him you also are BEING BUILT TOGETHER INTO A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD BY THE SPIRIT.” ( Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV)

For us to possess STABILITY in our spiritual lives, we must rest our life on Jesus and continually seek for our life to be aligned with Him and His Will. Let us also realize the structure we are being built into together as God’s household. May we strive to live in a manner that makes us a suitable dwelling.

Have a great day ACKNOWLEDGING THE CORNERSTONE GOD HAS PUT IN PLACE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Stability