Zechariah 1:2-4

Zechariah 1:2-4 (ESV): “2 “The Lord was very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. 4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.”

When God feels distant, it is because sin is present. He will not have communion with people who are unrepentant. However, when they repent, He runs with open arms to forgive and restore. Repent and see, Christian!

Zechariah prophesied during the same time as Haggai. His prophecies focused on repentance and the restoration of the individual, while Haggai prophesied about the restoration of the Temple. Zechariah reminded the 50,000 exiles that the nearness of God was dependent upon the repentance of the people. If those in Judah wanted to experience His tangible presence, they would need to repent continually. It is the only way to remain in fellowship with God.

Do you feel like God has abandoned you? The truth is, He has not. People abandon God for sin. He will not remain in fellowship with those who are unrepentant. John writes in 1 John 1:6, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” He goes on to say in verse 9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The way to restore fellowship with God is repentance!  What are you waiting for?  Repent and get back in right fellowship with Him!

Father, forgive us for accusing You of abandoning us when we are the ones who have broken fellowship with You. Give us eyes to see our hearts, that we might repent and have our fellowship restored. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.