Read

Zechariah 6:1-8:23
Ezra 5:3-6:14

Zechariah 8:4-8, “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there. … It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to Me? … I will save My people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be My people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.’”

Think

Children play in the streets while old men and women sit and watch with canes resting in their laps. A ball escapes the group of kids and bounces towards a smiling older lady. She gently swats it back towards the boy running after it. The boy gives a gentle wave of appreciation and then turns back to the game.

There is no fear along this Jerusalem street. There is no concern over war, hunger, or brutality. The children will return home safely, and the old will not be taken advantage of.

This restoration of complete peace is hard to imagine but not impossible for God to do. And if God can do that in a Jerusalem street, is there anything in your life that’s beyond His ability to restore? Is there anything you fear that He can’t conquer? Any relationship too far gone for reconciliation? No! If He wills it, it WILL happen. So, entrust every battle, fear, and relationship to God. He is faithful, righteous, and able to bring victory into every circumstance — for His glory and your good. God adores to restore!

Pray

Lord, It’s hard to imagine that You can bring good out of the difficult things I’m facing today. But my life is not my own — I am YOURS. As Your child, I trust that You are more powerful than the anxieties that arise within me and that You will guide me by Your Holy Spirit in every relationship. Lord, be glorified in me, and as I continue to walk forward by faith, I pray that I will one day be able to look back and say, “What a marvelous thing You have done!” Amen.