Zechariah 13-14

Daily Devotional from Zechariah 13—

Verse 9
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’

Here God is promising the remnant of Israel that He would make them new.

God’s promise to the Israelites was completed in Jesus. The same promise is offered to us - but being refined is not easy—it’s painful, and involves daily surrendering our fleshly desires to Jesus. Sometimes we will face circumstances that are really tough, but even though they are painful—they can bring joy if we trust that Christ is refining us through our suffering.

In Romans 5:3, we are told to “rejoice in our suffering.” Natural reactions to suffering include frustration, avoidance, and self-pity. But because we know the endurance, character, and hope suffering produces—we should find joy in it. That doesn’t make a hard situation any easier, but it does give us hope as we endure life’s trials.

Today, put your hope in Jesus and ask Him for strength for something you are facing right now.

Annika Sullenger