Zechariah 3: 7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.”

This is part of a vision given to Zechariah about the long range plan God had for his people who were in the process of rebuilding the temple. They needed to be encouraged. In the vision Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. Wow! Isn’t that just like the Devil? But we see here that the Lord rebukes Satan so that he cannot hinder the plans he has for Jerusalem and his servant Joshua. Furthermore the Lord asks: “Is not this man a burning stick plucked from the fire?”

Are you a servant of the Lord who feels you have been through fire lately? Are you thinking that you are not a pretty picture right now? Do you feel you have been through too much and you are all but consumed? Wonder where all the accusations have come from? Let the Holy Spirit use this vision of the restoration of Joshua to inspire you. God has not rejected you. He has his eyes on you. He is the one who gives the marching orders over your life. He has fresh clean garments for you. He says: “See, I have taken away your sin and will put rich garments on you.”  (Read Zechariah 3:1-10).

It is good to be broken before the Lord because his Word promises that he will not despise a broken and a contrite heart. So be encouraged and take him at his word: “If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements……”  Start over with God. He still has work for you to do and a reward to boot. You still have a part in introducing people to Jesus Christ.