Well, you caught me. I didn’t do my journaling this weekend. I was just going to skip ahead 2 days to stay on track but the verses for Saturday were so awesome I just couldn’t skip over. They are all prophecy about the coming of Jesus, let’s read!

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6, Isaiah 9:6-7, Zechariah 9:9-10

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.
5
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
6
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

Isaiah 9:6-7  For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Zechariah 9:9-10  Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
and the warhorses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Observation: This is all pretty straightforward, we all know this is the foretelling of Jesus walking on Earth. Probably wasn’t that simple to interpret before it happened though. Interesting again that no matter how much the Isrealites rebelled against God, He is still very zealous about protecting them and will bring judgement on those who oppose or lead His people astray. Isn’t it awesome that we have been included in His flock?! God has that same zeal for us now, as His children

Application: This is what comes to mind; “if our God is for us, who can stand against us?”

Prayer: God, you had such an incredible plan for us all along. You knew we could never do it on our own. Thank you again for what Jesus did on the cross for each and every one of us. Your word tells us you want all men to be saved, so thank you for extending your grace and salvation even to us gentiles. Thank you for the sunshine today, and for what looks like a beautiful week ahead. Each day you give is a gift, thank you for that too. Amen.