Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 23

GOD’S WORK DEPENDS ON GOD’S HELP

From: December 23, 2025

“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 rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Zerubbabel was born in the royal line of David and, under different circumstances, would have been king of Judah. But he was born too late. Judah had been conquered, the monarchy dismantled, and the people scattered. When Zerubbabel returned to the land, he was not a king but one more poor member of a discouraged remnant living under foreign rule.

Yet God called this seemingly diminished man to lead in the rebuilding of His house. The task was overwhelming, the opposition strong, and the resources few. Through Zechariah’s vision, the LORD made clear that success would not come through military strength, political influence, or human capability. The LORD declared that His redemptive purposes would advance not by human might or power, but by His Spirit alone.

We can see ourselves in Zerubbabel when faced with an overwhelming situation or calling. We are often tempted to quit God’s call on our lives when the way seems too difficult, the progress delayed, or we fear the outcome ending in defeat. At other times, we are tempted to push forward by leaning on human resources, careful strategies, or sheer determination. But both responses miss the heart of God’s message.

The Lord does not shame us for our weakness; He invites us to depend on Him. He teaches us that what He begins, He sustains, and what He commands, He empowers. Our calling is not to be successful, but to be faithful. Often, we must come to the end of our own strength and plans before we truly learn this lesson—that God’s work requires God’s help. Hudson Taylor captured this truth well when he said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” When we rely on the Spirit rather than ourselves, we discover that God is always sufficient for what He calls us to do.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess how easily we rely on our own strength or grow weary and want to give up. Teach us to trust Your Spirit when we feel weak and discouraged. Help us to rest in Your power and walk faithfully in what You have called us to do, not by might, nor by power, but by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ARE YOU FAITHFUL IN THE SMALL THINGS?

From: December 23, 2024

“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel” (Zechariah 4:10 ESV).

Zerubbabel was born in Babylon. As a descendent of King David, he was in line for Judah’s throne, but he and his people had been conquered and exiled by the former Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzer. After the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon, he showed favor to the Jews. He appointed Zerubbabel governor over Jerusalem and allowed him to lead a group of exiles to return and rebuild the Jewish Temple. Unfortunately, due to conflict with the locals and lack of both physical and financial support, the work had come to a halt after laying the foundation. The unfinished work sat atop the temple mount for over a decade, a constant and discouraging reminder to Zerubbabel. In addition, many of the older Jews who had seen the “former glory” of Solomon’s Temple, saw the plans for the new Temple as “nothing” in their eyes (Haggai 2:3).

Yet the prophet Zechariah encouraged Zerubbabel not to despise “small” beginnings. He told him that the people would rejoice to see Zerubbabel take up the plumb line and begin the work.

God looks for those who will be faithful in the small things. As Jesus said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10). So the one who would be entrusted with great things must first be faithful in the small things.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray that You would strengthen us to faithfully do the small things. We are often tempted to despise the small things we are called to do. We want to do great things. Yet, You have chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. Therefore, we will glory in our weakness and in doing the small things, knowing that You love to use such as these. In Jesus’ name, amen.

CHRIST IS BOTH CORNERSTONE AND CAPSTONE

From: December 23, 2023

“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me” (Zechariah 4:9 NLT).

Zechariah was given a prophecy concerning Zerubbabel, the Jewish governor of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel had begun the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians, but work had stopped on it and the people were discouraged. Yet the Word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, that just as Zerubbabel had laid the foundation, so just as surely he would complete it. This prophecy was fulfilled during that time.

Yet, as with many biblical prophecies, it also has a future meaning. For Zerubbabel, who was born to the line of David, is a foreshadowing of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And the house he rebuilt foreshadows the Church. Jesus was born in the line of David and through His work of salvation, laid the foundation of the Church, becoming its Cornerstone. One day, just as He founded the Church, He will finish it, laying its last spiritual stone into place. For as the book of Hebrews explains, Jesus is both “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Jesus is both Cornerstone and Capstone of the Church, which is His Body, of which we are members.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we read Your Scriptures, we find Your Son on every page. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. We look to Him not only for our salvation, but for every need of life. For all our needs are met in Him. Until He returns, strengthen us by Your grace to accomplish the work You have assigned to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Then I saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was someone like the Son of Man. He had a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand” (Revelation 14:14 NLT).

From: December 23, 2022

THE SECOND ADVENT

While exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the apostle John saw a vision of Christ’s second coming. His description of the Son of Man coming on the clouds was like what the prophet Daniel saw in his vision 600 years before Christ’s first advent.

“Behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man” (Dan. 7:13).

What John saw is also how Jesus answered the high priest who asked whether he was the Messiah, the Son of God. To which Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64).

The high priest tore his clothes at Jesus’ reply and declared him guilty of blasphemy. The Jewish council rejected Jesus and sent him to Pilate to be crucified.

Yet, a day is coming when Christ will fulfill the vision of both Daniel and John. He will fulfill the answer he gave the high priest. When Christ returns, he will come as King with a “gold crown on his head” and as Judge with a “sharp sickle in his hand.” This is Advent: Christ has come and is coming again.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we remember Christ’s first advent, we are filled with confident anticipation at His soon return. Strengthen us with power and wisdom to serve You until that Day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Zerubbabel’s hands have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you” (Zechariah 4:9 HCSB).

From: December 23, 2021

CHRIST IS BOTH CORNERSTONE AND CAPSTONE

Zechariah was given a prophecy concerning Zerubbabel, the Jewish governor of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel had begun the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians, but work had stopped on it and the people were discouraged. Yet the Word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, that just as Zerubbabel had laid the foundation, so just as surely he would complete it. This prophecy was fulfilled during that time.

Yet, as with many biblical prophecies, it also has a spiritual and future meaning. For Zerubbabel, who was born to the line of David, is a foreshadowing of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And the house he rebuilt foreshadows the Church. Jesus was born in the line of David and through His work of salvation, laid the foundation of the Church, becoming its Cornerstone. One day, just as He founded the Church, He will finish it, laying its last spiritual stone into place. For as the book of Hebrews explains, Jesus is both “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Jesus is both Cornerstone and Capstone of the Church, which is His Body, of which we are members.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we read Your Scriptures, we find Your Son on every page. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. We look to Him not only for our salvation, but for every need of life. For all our needs are met in Him. Until He returns, strengthen us by Your grace to accomplish the work You have assigned to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you” (Zechariah 4:9 NKJV).

From: December 23, 2020

CHRIST IS BOTH CORNERSTONE AND CAPSTONE

Zechariah was given a prophecy concerning Zerubbabel, the Jewish governor of Jerusalem, that he would finish rebuilding the Temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians. This prophecy was fulfilled during that time.

Yet, as with many biblical prophecies, it also has a spiritual and future meaning. For Zerubbabel, who was born to the line of David, is a foreshadowing of Christ. And the Temple is symbolic of the Church. Christ was born in the line of David and through His work of salvation, laid the foundation of the Church, becoming its Cornerstone. One day, just as He founded the Church, He will finish it, laying its last spiritual stone into place. For as the book of Hebrews explains, Jesus is both “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Jesus is both Cornerstone and Capstone of the Church, which is His Body, of which we are members.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we read Your Scriptures, we find Your Son on every page. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. We look to Him not only for our salvation, but for every need of life. For all our needs are met in Him. Until He returns, strengthen us by Your grace to accomplish the work You have assigned to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT).

From: December 23, 2019

ARE YOU FAITHFUL IN THE SMALL THINGS?

Zerubbabel was born in Babylon. As a descendent of King David, he was in line for Judah’s throne, but he and his people had been conquered and exiled by the former Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzer. After the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon, he showed favor to the Jews. He appointed Zerubbabel governor over Jerusalem and allowed him to lead a group of exiles to return and rebuild the Jewish Temple. Unfortunately, due to conflict with the locals and lack of both physical and financial support, the work had come to a halt after laying the foundation. The unfinished work sat atop the temple mount for over a decade, a constant and discouraging reminder to Zerubbabel. In addition, many of the older Jews who had seen the “former glory” of Solomon’s Temple, saw the plans for the new Temple as “nothing” in their eyes (Haggai 2:3).

Yet the prophet Zechariah encouraged Zerubbabel not to despise “small beginnings.” He told him that the Lord would rejoice to see Zerubbabel take up the plumb line and begin the work.

God always looks for those who will be faithful in the small and little things. As Jesus said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10). So the one who would be entrusted with great things must first be faithful in the small things.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray that You would strengthen us to faithfully do the small things. We are often tempted to despise the small things we are called to do. We want to do great things. Yet, You have chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. Therefore, we will glory in our weakness and in doing the small things, knowing that You love to use such as these. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Then I saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was someone like the Son of Man. He had a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand” (Revelation 14:14 NLT).

From: December 23, 2018

THIS IS ADVENT: CHRIST HAS COME AND IS COMING AGAIN

While exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the apostle John saw a vision of Christ’s second coming. His description of the Son of Man coming on the clouds was like what the prophet Daniel saw in his vision 600 years before Christ’s first coming (See Daniel 7:13).

What John saw is also how Jesus answered the high priest who asked whether he was the Messiah, the Son of God. To which Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64). The high priest tore his clothes at Jesus’ reply and declared him guilty of blasphemy. The Jewish council rejected Jesus and sent him to Pilate to be crucified.

Yet, a day is coming when Christ will fulfill the vision of both Daniel and John. He will fulfill the answer he gave the high priest. When Christ returns, he will come as King with a “gold crown on his head” and as Judge with a “sharp sickle in his hand.” This is Advent: Christ has come and is coming again.

‘Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them'” (Revelation 14:13 NKJV).

From: December 23, 2017

John heard a “voice from heaven” describing the Lord’s perspective on the patient endurance of believers during the tribulation. From the world’s perspective they were being persecuted and killed for their faith in Jesus, but from the Lord’s…

1) They were “blessed” – Completely content and satisfied. Happy.

2) They had found “rest” – Both sabbath and shalom. No more striving. No more anxiety. Rest.

3) Their “works follow” – They say you can’t take it with you, yet the Lord says your works of faith will follow you to heaven. Nothing is wasted. Works of faith are remembered and recognized.

So, don’t give up. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Revelation 14:6 ESV)

From: December 23, 2016

John saw an angel flying with the “eternal gospel” proclaiming it to everyone on earth during the time of tribulation. Even as the great majority of humanity had chosen to follow the antichrist, God still made sure the good news was heard, so that they were without excuse. This gospel is “eternal” because… (from Barnes Notes) (1) “its great truths have always existed.” (2) “it will forever remain unchanged.” (3) “its effects will be everlasting” for those who believe. It is this “eternal gospel” that God has given in order to rescue us from sin, separation and death.