People will not be ashamed of the small beginnings, and they will be very happy when they see Zerubbabel with the plumb line, measuring and checking the finished building. ~ Zechariah 4:10 (ERV)
After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” ~ Matthew 17:22–23a (NLT)
Lord, people laugh at you and your workers in the beginning. What you are doing does not seem very impressive by their standards. That is because unlike you, they can't see how things will end up. Please keep me from this kind of shortsightedness. Save me from cynicism! Help me to see enough of what you are doing so that I trust you without reservation. You have some big plans in the works and I want to honor you by patiently trusting you. Please nurture patient trust in me during this season of Lent. Amen.
Challenging Words
- Plumb Line ~ A construction tool that consists of a string with a weight on one end. It is used to line up blocks, rocks, or wood studs so that a wall is straight.
- Betrayed ~ Betrayal is an act of disloyalty and deception that hurts or dishonors those who trust you -- such as friends, family members, a clan, or a nation.
- Cynicism ~ An eagerness to doubt or distrust the motives of others
- Without Reservation ~ wholeheartedly -- without doubt or hesitation
- Lent ~ the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by Christians as a time of preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead. During Lent many Christians will fast and give extra attention to eliminating sinful attitudes and behavior from their lives.