“Let Your Hands Be Strong” Zechariah 8:1–17
By Elizabeth Davey
Zechariah’s hypnotic prophetic declarations “Thus says the Lord of Hosts”—the focus of Sunday’s sermon, had a startling effect on me—peculiarly appropriate for sometimes tired mothers coming to Mother’s Day celebrations and sentiments. As I mused on Zechariah’s words later in the day, I pictured the apathetic and unmotivated re-builders of Jerusalem and its temple, saying “I quit.” I wondered what would it be like if he were speaking directly to us at Weston—to me, to my church community. Here is what I imagine him saying:
“Thus says the Lord of Hosts” to the people of Weston Park:
• I am jealous for you—for your forgetfulness—your distractions—your desire to act like everyone else.
• I am jealous for your presumption—for your tendency to live in your own little bubble, oblivious to others around you”
“Thus says the Lord of Hosts” to the people of Weston Park:
• Nevertheless, I will live among you. You shall be called my faithful people.
• My Kingdom is a safe park here in Weston—for the old to sit and enjoy and the many boys and girls can play together!
“Thus says the Lord of Hosts” to the people of Weston Park:
• I am on your side. I have my dream for you.
• LET YOUR HANDS BE STRONG.
• Persevere in your task. Partner with me.
• Overcome and push through the storms of your personal lives and life of the community
“Thus says the Lord of Hosts” to the people of Weston Park:
• Do not be afraid.
“Thus says the Lord of Hosts” to the people of Weston Park:
• Live out your faith in truth, peace, and justice.
• “Just make it easier for someone to come to God!”
Such hopeful words as we mothers continue mothering (and fathers keep fathering) the people that have come to our “safe park” to join in the life of God’s Kingdom here. Happy Mother’s Day—the day after!
Listen to this sermon here!
2 Comments
Zechariah's image of the kingdom of God as a safe park was picked up by Elizabeth as she speaks about God's blessings towards us in our own Weston 'Park'. We have received so much from Abba! Over the years and he has repeatedly revealed himself to be a loving, compassionate God who yearns to be present with us as we minister here in Weston. We are grateful for his patience and kindness as we desire to demonstrate his love towards our neighbours and invite them into his safe park.
I love the fact that you’ve imagined a God who, when He speaks directly to our congregation, delivers only two messages of correction and nine messages expressing His love and encouragement to continue our journey of faith together. Hopeful words, indeed. On another note, I want to mention how much I appreciated Pastor Alan’s reference in his sermon to the concept of “negative capability.” Keats’ idea that it is important for us to become more “capable of being in uncertainties . . . without any irritable reaching after fact & reason” was new to me, but is a theme that has emerged on a number of different occasions over the past few days.