“Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it, saith the Lord, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.” Zechariah 1:16
What is the great appeal by sinful man to the eternal, holy God? Even if we elevate our thoughts beyond the sinfulness of man to those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, what is the basis, and “way” by which the believer, a sinner though saved, can approach God, and appeal with effectiveness for His intervention and working? It is what is called, “…the mercies of God.” Why is this so? It has to do with the greatest expression of the depths to which this holy God, who is perfect love and righteousness, will go to, in order to reveal the uniqueness, and beauty of His nature and character. God’s mercy is that very last, singular hope of the sinner, before falling into the abyss of godlessness. Why then is it so very important to know this truth, that God is merciful, and that He intervenes to reveal His mercies “every day” to lost, and to redeemed men? If faith is to lay hold of God, as Jacob laid hold of the “Man” who wrestled with him, then he must know, and be fully persuaded that He is merciful. Jacob’s pursuit of God, resulted in the receiving of the mercy of God, the intervention of God. God’s mercy allowed Jacob to find Him. It is to this manipulator, usurper, that God would look, this one who had set all his hope, and expectation upon God. Jacob was not willing to let the Lord go, without receiving the blessing of God. One great element in this story is that God actually rendered Jacob more helpless than he was before, making him to be more dependent upon Him, by touching “the hollow of Jacob’s thigh.” He could no longer flee.
When Israel, having returned to Jerusalem, and after beginning the reconstruction of the temple, was stopped by the powers of darkness, seen in the resistance of the people, we have a glimpse of “the angel of the Lord” appealing to the Lord of Hosts in heaven, by asking: “O Lord of hosts, how long wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which Thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?” (Zech. 1:12) Here is the appeal to the mercy of God, to intervene in a situation that is blocked, and hindered. Though the word of the Lord had come to rebuild the temple of God, human efforts were unable to overcome the spiritual powers of darkness which resisted and defied the people of God. Only by prayer being made, was their relief. The Lord’s answer was: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.” 1:14) “I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in in.” (1:16) This declaration by the Lord is like that of the Lord Jesus when He said to His disciples: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) For the resisting gates of hell to not prevail, the intervention of God was imperative. A Pentecost would need to come, when the Spirit of God would be poured out. The Spirit of God’s intervention, according to the mercies of God, would be essential, if there would be the breach in the walls of resistance by the enemy of our souls. The same Spirit who raises up a standard against the floods of wickedness when they come in like a flood, is the One who shatters the gates of Hell, to save souls, and to set the captives free. When will He do this? In God’s wisdom, and perfect time, in answer to the prayer of faith, the prayer seeking the God of mercy, the mercies of God will be revealed, given in His power for His glory.
It was Charles Wesley who wrote: “Called the full strength of trust to prove. Let all my quickened heart be love, Thy spotless life be praise.”
Dear Father, Bless us wondrously. In Jesus’ name, Amen.