DAY 30 – SUNDAY – 30 MARCH 2025

Reflection: The Sanctity of the National Restoration

Bible Reading: Zechariah 10:1-2

Accreditation:
Our God is a holy God. Therefore, we are called to have a holy life. In the old
covenant, when the people of Israel did not maintain holiness, they were punished for disobedience (Ex. 34:7). The sin of idolatry is a very serious sin in the eyes of God.

Observations:
This text begins with a call to the people to ask God for rain. It is God who makes the clouds that become torrential rain (verse 1). God also gave drought as a punishment for the people who broke His covenant. Moses warned about this as written in Leviticus 26:19 and Deuteronomy 28:23.

Application:
Implicitly, God with all His love and mercy calls for His people to repent of all their
sins and transgressions and humble themselves to ask for His forgiveness. Therefore, when we turn to God, He in His mercy forgives us and blesses us by sending heavy rains and fertilizing the soil so that plants multiply and grow back in the field (verse 1b).

Idol worship causes God’s wrath as it is recorded that the Israelites worshiped
teraphim, which are household idols (Genesis 31:19). They also come to fortune tellers for visions and dreams. This action is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Therefore, He punished His people by giving drought until they were scattered like sheep without a shepherd.

Through this text one of the sins that God hates the most is idolatry. The LORD our God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5). For this reason, God shuns people who worship idols. He will repay it to the third and fourth generation (Ex. 20:5).

However, our Lord God is also compassionate and loving. He will forgive
transgressions, mistakes and sins (Ex. 34:6) when we sincerely repent. Are there still  idols in our lives? The idol can exist in the form of power, finance, personal ambition or people? If there are still any, it is in accordance with the theme of this fasting prayer for us to repent immediately (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Conclusion:
In conclusion, let us live this life with full holiness, obedience, perseverance and loyalty that will invite the presence of God in our lives.

Prayer Focus:
1. For the spread of the Gospel: King of Kings, open hearts and minds to the news of Your salvation. Empower Your people to share the Gospel with courage and love.  Send the workers to the harvest fields of every nation, so that everyone will know  You, the true source of hope and peace. (Matthew 28:19-20).

2. For Unity in Diversity: Creator God, we celebrate the richness of the cultural and ethnic tapestry woven across the country. Help us embrace our differences and  find strength in our unity. Grant us the grace to see each other as brothers and   sisters in Your eyes, building bridges of love and respect. (Ephesians 4:2-4)