DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Zechariah 8:7-17 (02/24 or 03/08) Reading at 6th Hour, Friday,
Week Before the Great Fast
The Work of the Fast V ~ Use the Time Diligently:
Zechariah 8:7-17, especially vs. 15: “...I
have prepared and purposed to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah;
be of good courage.” God challenges us for His new epoch: “...strengthen
your hands” (vs. 13), that is, “Do not hold back but be diligent,
for there’s a new era.”
He helps us recall that formerly diligence was futile: “...there
[was] no peace for those going out and those coming in...” (vs. 10). Hence,
the Lord gives us a new promise: “...I do not do to the remnant of this
people as in the former days...” (vs. 11). In other words, God assures us that in
His new epoch affairs will improve.
Our industry will profit.
Therefore, we are to be diligent, for God says, “...I have
prepared and purposed to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; be of
good courage...” (vs. 15).
In Christ, this message is for us. Imagine the situation of any people who
have lived under repressive conditions for years, but, abruptly their social,
political, economic, and spiritual conditions change for the better. But are new conditions in life after
hard years always golden? Not
often! Some facets of life may now
be more difficult. However, under
new conditions, ‘strong hands’ or ‘diligence,’ are
definitely more likely to be rewarded than laziness and lassitude. In this, God announces a new era in
Christ, and not a ‘bailout’ program. The new situation is far better if we
meet the new conditions that God gives with determined effort.
Yes, this word of Lord prophesied by Zechariah is for us,
and especially at the threshold of the Great Fast. The message reminds us to embrace the
new era with diligence and hope.
What were our prior conditions, and what are our new
circumstances that God has effected? The old conditions meant that our wages
did not profit us. No one wanted to
purchase ‘livestock.’
Under the former conditions there was no peace for those going out nor for those coming in, for we all were pitted against our
neighbors (see vs. 10). War and
conflict prevailed. That certainly
is a situation we know all too well.
But God has created a new set of conditions.
Concerning the previous conditions under which we once
lived apart from the grace of God, Saint Paul says: “...the wages of sin
is death...” (Rom. 6:23).
Undoubtedly, sin plays well in the world, which is why David the
Psalmist prays: “...deliver my soul from ungodly men...yea, with Thy
hidden treasures hath their belly been filled. They have satisfied themselves with
swine and have left the remnants to their babes” (Ps. 16:13-15). Still, Asaph
the Psalmist added this note: “Surely, for their crafty dealings Thou
hast appointed evils for them...” (Ps. 72:17). Indeed, there are wages for sin, and
recompense follows the workers of evil.
Beloved of the Lord, we live under new circumstances: “While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
Our Savior invites us, “Come to Me, all
you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt.
11:28). We can turn from sin and
its wages, and we can receive refreshment.
Therefore, let us make our hands strong for the things of God.
The Apostle asks: “What fruit did you have then in
those things of which you are now ashamed?
For the end of those things is death” (Rom.
6:21). But let’s
recognize the new conditions, for he also says, “But now having been set
free from sin...you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting
life” (Rom. 6:22). Christ
created new circumstances by coming to us, dying, and trampling down death. Let us use Lent with ‘good courage
and strength of hands, and “...speak truth...” and “...judge
truth...,” then Christ will bless us (see Zec.
8:13,16).
O all-good Master, grant us to undertake the coming Fast
diligently, pass our days with a seemly disposition, and always lead a virtuous
life that Thy kingdom may come upon us, Thy kingdom of all the ages, Thy
kingdom of goodness, righteousness and peace.
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