Today we read about restoration and sustenance. The Lord who is restoring Israel is the very same Lord who is sustaining Paul. The same Lord who promises blessing to the land of Israel in the time of Zechariah promises his blessing and provision to those who love him, even to the thousandth generation. Of course, the number "thousand" in the Bible typically refers to that number you wouldn't even count because it is so big. He promises blessing on those who love him forever.
What is our response to this great love? It is a great love which has been poured out for us before we were able to do anything. As the Lord incarnate, Jesus, the living Word of the Father has come to suffer for our sin so that we may partake in his life, we rejoice in our savior. As the Lord has given the Holy Spirit to live within us, we joyfully receive guidance, comfort and encouragement in all righteousness. As the Father will judge us based on Christ's righteousness rather than our own, we courageously approach his throne bringing our petitions before him. And as the Lord has placed us in the context of his body on earth, the Church, we work to bring good rather than evil to our society. We work to bless our neighbor, loving him as ourselves. We reach out our hands to our communities in love, not our love but the love with which the Lord has loved us, laying down his life for us.
In the final analysis, when God restores and sustains people in this world, he does it to us and through us. We are his instruments of blessing and mercy. Thanks be to God for using us in his gracious work.
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