God, Me, and Us – Part IISample

It’s Time to Reset

Have you ever flown in a plane? If you have, think about those moments when you hear the safety instructions. A line always stands out: “In case of an emergency, secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others.” This instruction is not selfishness; it’s wisdom. In our exploration of “God, Me, Us,” we’re putting on spiritual oxygen masks. We’ll discover what God has done for us, who we are in Christ, and why it matters. This isn’t self-help; it’s about understanding God’s work in us so we can better help others. Today, we’re diving into the wisdom of knowing God and knowing ourselves.

The book of Zechariah is a fascinating part of the Bible. Did you know the New Testament references or quotes Zechariah a staggering 41 times? Zechariah’s name means “Yahweh remembers.”

In Zechariah 3, we witness Satan accusing Joshua, the high priest, of hurling lies at him. Then, God intervenes, declaring His perspective on Joshua. The events in this book happened around 500 BC, about a thousand years after the more famous Joshua, the one from Moses’ time. In this narrative, Joshua is the high priest. His story holds profound implications for each of us. We often grapple with lies about our identity and situation. To truly comprehend God’s work in our lives, we must choose to believe what God says about us.

Zechariah 3:1 paints a vivid picture. Joshua, the high priest, stands before the angel of the Lord while Satan accuses him. God’s response is powerful: “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!” Then comes a resounding truth: “Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” This scene symbolizes salvation and redemption.

Joshua, clothed in filthy garments, represents our spiritual condition before God. The angel of the Lord issues a transformative command: “Take off his filthy clothes.” He proclaims, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you and clothed you with festive robes.” What a magnificent exchange!

Verse five reinforces this transformation as a clean turban is placed on Joshua’s head. The angel declares the restoration and renewal of Joshua’s identity, all while the angel of the Lord stands nearby, overseeing the remarkable process.

In this story, we’re invited to reflect on our own lives. Just as Joshua was redeemed and transformed, we too can experience the power of God’s work in our lives. Embracing what God says about us is crucial to understanding His work. As we continue in this series, let’s put on our spiritual oxygen masks, secure in our identity in Christ, and ready to minister to others from a place of truth and grace.