God's Kingdom Part 2

Can God’s kingdom come to be on Earth? In the last blog we looked at some passages in Zechariah where God was envisioning Jerusalem rebuilt, with the old and young living safely inside, with the vulnerable protected. To the Israelites, at the time, it must have seemed next to impossible. The city was in ruins. No one was safe there. Today, Christians often feel that same sense of hopelessness when we look at the present state of our world. When we watch the news we see just how far from God’s Kingdom our world seems. We may even be tempted to throw up our hands and say: “Well I hope Jesus comes back soon because this world is beyond repair.” But God did not allow His people in the time of Zechariah to give up hope and He doesn’t want us to despair either.

Firstly, God reminds His people who He is:

Zechariah 8:6-8 (NIV) 6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty. 7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

The things that are “marvelous” to us are not marvelous to God. He knows what He is capable of and we should not doubt him. Every generation since Jesus ascended into heaven has thought, “Look at how bad things are. These must be the last days.” These may indeed be the last days but if they are it will not be because God cannot fix the world or is powerless to change it. If we think our world is beyond hope we have a small view of our God.

Secondly God reminds his people how He usually works to build His Kingdom.

Zechariah 8:9 (NIV) This is what the LORD Almighty says: "You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty, let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.”

He tells the people “Let your hands be strong” - your hands, not someone else’s. He tells the people to be ready; He is going to use them. When we watch the news we can’t say: “It is hopeless”. Instead, we need to ask: “What can I do?”. We feel so small when we look at the problems facing the world. We are right to think that we can’t do anything on our own to bring about God’s Kingdom but if we think we can’t do something with Him working through us than we again have a very small view of God.

I am reminded of the Gandhi quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Say: “God, how can I bring your Kingdom?” and then do it. Bring safety, peace, love and hope to the group home in which you work. Give the people you serve an encounter with God’s love through you. Never forget that these ‘simple’ things to you are “marvelous” things to the world. Allow God to show you which brick is yours to put in his Kingdom wall.

Mark Wallace