SCRIPTURE “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1–2 ESV). OBSERVATIONPsalm 1 is a beautiful

“‘Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end’” (Revelation 22:12–13 ESV). The apostle John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the churches who would

“Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:15 ESV). Malachi, writing as the LORD’s messenger to the post-exilic

Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them (Revelation 20:11 ESV). The Apostle John wrote these words to the seven churches in Asia Minor, providing a prophetic vision of the culmination of human history. He

“On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness” (Zechariah 13:1 ESV). Zechariah, writing to the post-exilic community of Judah who had returned from Babylonian exile, spoke words of hope that reached far beyond their immediate circumstances. While

“Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd” (Zechariah 10:2b ESV). Zechariah, writing to the post-exilic community of Judah, addressed a people who had returned from exile but were still spiritually disoriented. Though back in the land, they were vulnerable, restless, and afflicted. The prophet explained the root cause

“ And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast…” (Revelation 17:8 ESV). The apostle John wrote Revelation to the persecuted churches in Asia Minor who were pressured to compromise with the idolatrous powers of the

“And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong” (Zechariah 8:13 ESV). Zechariah, writing to the post-exilic community of Judah and Israel, assured a discouraged

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul” (Psalm 143:8 ESV). David, writing as a suffering servant of the LORD and speaking on behalf of God’s covenant people, prayed for renewed assurance

“Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts’” (Zechariah 4:6 ESV). Zechariah, writing to the returned Jewish remnant after the Babylonian exile, recorded the LORD’s message of encouragement to Zerubbabel, the governor charged with