Be a Zerubbabel

This post was a lesson taught by Hazel at our praying over our city meeting.

Be a Zerubbabel and Shout Grace to your Mountain

Zechariah 4:6-10 Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

Who are you, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain: and he shall bring forth its headstone with shoutings, crying, Grace, Grace unto it.

Then the word of the Lord came to me:  “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

(Those who have made fun of this day of small beginnings will celebrate when they see Zerubbabel holding this important stone. Those seven lamps represent my eyes—the eyes of the Lord—and they see everything on this earth.)

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In our city we have a large mountain of poverty; many are on welfare and disability.  A large crowd of our citizens are homeless, some have been released from jail, and others are bound by alcohol, drugs and addictive habits. 

Thankfully, we also have recovery programs in our city where many are doing the work toward recovery.  Some have experienced being made new in Christ Jesus.  All in all there is a great need in our area for jobs and industry. 

God often reveals himself on the mountaintop.  Mountains and hill tops are mentioned in the Bible over 500 times.

In the Old Testament, we consider Mt Ararat where the Ark positioned its-self after the flood, Mt Sinai where Moses received the law and the 10 commandments. Perhaps Abraham and Lot were on a mountain as Lot looked over the plains and chose the well watered land and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 

The book of Matthew, in particular, has six significant mountain scenes: Jesus’ temptation (4:8); the Sermon on the Mount (5:1); a number of healings (15:29); the Transfiguration (17:1); Jesus’ final discourse (24:1); and the commissioning of the Apostles (28:16).

Perhaps the most significant mountain scene in the Gospels, however, is the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus is accompanied by Moses and Elijah, who themselves encountered God on the mountaintop in the Old Testament. Now, they encounter God through Jesus and Jesus, in turn, is seen as the fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).

Not to forget the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-49, Act 1:9-12.) Jesus prays here before his arrest and crucifixion. Later he ascends into heaven with a promise that He will return in like manner. 

All those mountains remind me that often we face a mountain of trouble in our lives.  Jesus taught that it was acceptable to speak to the mountain and tell it to go and to be removed.

Prayer Starter:

Lord God, I speak to the mountains of discouragement, sickness, ungodly habits, doubt and unbelief, fear with its torments and tell them to go in Jesus Name.  I release courage, comfort, health, faith, harmony, peace, boldness and provision in all its forms to replace these mountains.   Thank you Lord Jesus for your faithfulness.