“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2“The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 3Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. 4Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord. 5“Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6Yet surely My words and My statutes, Which I commanded My servants the prophets, Did they not overtake your fathers? “So they returned and said: ‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us, According to our ways and according to our deeds, So He has dealt with us.’ ” ‘ ” Zechariah 1:1-6 NKJV
God of Your Word,
Zechariah was the grandson of Iddo the prophet. He would have been born in exile and returned with his grandfather to Jerusalem, as Iddo is listed as head of his family in Nehemiah 12:16. So Zechariah would not have been relatively young and his name means ‘the Lord has remembered’. Even if he has no memories of Jerusalem. But which was prophetic when You, Lord, remembered and brought them out of exile!
Return to me and I will return to You. The exiles are hearing this same message not just once through Zechariah, not just twice again through Haggai, but three times as also through Ezra. Over and over again so they cannot say, they did not know or You never told them or they miss heard. Some times I think You need to make me to hear something three times before I catch on. And You are so generous in Your patience. Because I think I have heard something from You and then I need someone to confirm it and I often look for confirmation the next few days! Just to be sure!
I pray that I only need to hear You for direction and not for correction. And I apologise that I often am like a child needing reassurance and encouragement and am so grateful for Your patience.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 24th September 2025
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased and that I’m never alone
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need before we say a word
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Because You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us,
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You’re perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
Oh, it’s love so undeniable I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still, as You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still into love, love, love
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
(You’re a good, good Father)
You are perfect in all of Your ways (it’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are)
(And I’m loved by You)
You are perfect in all of Your ways (it’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am)
Lyrics: Tony Brown, Pat Barrett