Bible Chapter: Zechariah 9 & 10

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Who is the source of hope and deliverance?  We know the answer is God.  As I read the prophets it seems as if it has always been a problem for people to really trust God and follow Him.  That hasn’t changed.  People seem to serve God and then turn away.  Here we see that Israel would turn to the Lord for deliverance.  Because the would turn, God said He would help His followers by bringing judgment on the nations who had caused them so much suffering in the past.  God promised that there will come a time when Jerusalem will really live in peace.  The promise and assurance we see given by the prophet can still be grasped today by all who love and follow Him.  We may face resistance or feel hopeless, we can trust that God will prevail.
I see some interesting thoughts at the beginning of chapter ten.  God is real and He has the power to answer prayer.  He sends rain in the spring, for He makes the storm clouds.   He sends showers so every field becomes a lush pasture.  What is the option?  Many trusted in other gods, and we are told that they give worthless advice, they have no power.  And, fortune-tellers predict only lies.  Those who follow these false sources are wandering like lost sheep.  They have no protection because they have no shepherd.  God said He will punish these false leaders.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
When a person grows up in church and hears some of the familiar stories many times, it is easy to forget the context and the awesomeness of God to tell about it so far ahead of time.  Here we find one of those prophetic verses.  We see what is known as the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday.
Zechariah 9:9 NKJV
9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
Matthew 21:4-5 NKJV
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
The promised King would come bringing salvation.  By entering into Jerusalem this way, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy and revealed Himself as the true Messiah and Savior.  He was very close to going to the cross to give His life to pay the price for our sins.  Because He did this we have His promise of peace.  All of the prophecies that Jesus filled give confidence to put my trust in Him.

3.  How can I help someone?
The fact that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah gives hope to put our full trust in Him.