December 9th - the Lord's Dwelling Among Us

"Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion! For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD. "Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."

Zechariah 2:10-13

Personal Reflection: There's something deeply moving about anticipation. Think about a child waiting for their parent to return from a long trip, or a bride waiting to walk down the aisle. The excitement builds with each passing moment until it feels like it might overflow. This is the kind of anticipation we find in Zechariah's prophecy – a divine promise of God's presence among His people.

The prophet's words ring with joy and expectation. Notice how God doesn't simply say He will visit or stop by – He declares "I will live among you." This wasn't a temporary arrangement or a brief encounter. God was promising to make His dwelling with His people, to be present in their daily lives, their struggles, and their celebrations.

What's particularly striking is how this promise extends beyond just Israel. "Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day," the text proclaims. This was a radical concept for Israel, who often viewed themselves as God's exclusive people. Yet here, God was painting a picture of a future where His family would expand to include people from every nation and background.

This passage, written centuries before Christ's birth, points forward to both the incarnation and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people. When Jesus came as Emmanuel – God with us – He began fulfilling this prophecy. And one day, as Revelation tells us, this promise will find its complete fulfillment when God makes His dwelling with humanity forever.

Further Reading: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.'"

Revelation 21:1-4

Ask the Following Questions:

When you think about God living among His people, what does that mean for your daily life? How might it change the way you approach your routine?

The passage speaks of "many nations" being joined with the Lord. How can we, as God's people, better welcome and include those who might feel like outsiders in our faith communities?

Consider the command to "Be still before the LORD." In what ways do you find it challenging to be still and acknowledge God's presence, especially during the busy season of Advent?

Prayer: Loving Father, during this Advent season, help us to prepare our hearts for Your presence. Thank You for Your promise to dwell among us through Jesus Christ. Give us eyes to see You at work in our daily lives and hearts that welcome others into Your family. Teach us to be still and know that You are God, even in the midst of our busy lives. Help us to live as people who truly believe that You are present with us. In Jesus' name, Amen.