The King is Coming - Small Beginnings (Part 2)
One Year Bible: Dec. 24
Zechariah 6:1-7:14
The King is Coming: “Small Beginnings” (Part Two)
“The Hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”
(O Little Town of Bethlehem)
Tonight is the holiest of nights…
The candles shine, the bells ring, and carols fill the night air. It is by Jewish recording of days the very beginning of Christmas, as the day begins in the evening. Many of them, however, will miss that tonight is the answer to their hopes and fears.
They are waiting for an earthly king to solve their earthly problems.
Do you remember yesterday’s “Do not despise these SMALL BEGINNINGS?”
Tonight, I am to play handbells in a small ensemble to open the Christmas Eve Service, and we will play again on Christmas morning. Sounds lovely. No big deal, Right?
I was asked through a text by a friend, “Want to play bells for Christmas?” She wanted her mom to hear the bells again this year. It sounded lovely, and I replied, “Sure.”
We had four experienced women play three songs. The problem came that we would have more than two bells in one hand at a time! Ever tried to play 5-6 bells that are ringing at about the same time? Not only that but the melody lines were hidden! We tried for a few practices to make this happen, but time was short, and so was patience.
We had played quite some years back with a full team of bell ringers, music stands, lights, and padding for the bells. The bells were in their prime at that time, and so were we. As for now, not so much!
I offered a possible backup plan where we use regular music and play only the treble line with a piano carrying the song, as we did not have enough time, people, or skills to carry the entire song on our own. We went for that!
Bell music doesn’t come that way… So, I set about to try and select who would play the same bells in all songs with various accidentals (Not us, we hoped! The songs threw in some sharps and flats.) I had never laid out bell music like this before as it normally comes marked assigning the bells to the players. What did I know about this task? Very little. It took me a few evenings…
Meanwhile, back at the ranch ( I mean the church auditorium.) The piano now must play through the sound system. Help!!!
Everyone's “hopes were weigning” and “fears were growing.”
All of us were wondering if the bells would ever ring again, and if they did ring, would it be a painful moment?
Perhaps, “the glory days were gone”...We didn’t say this out loud, but I am pretty sure that every one of us was thinking it. Everyone was ready to “throw in the towel”... I mean the BELLS.
Zechariah is about this very problem. The people of God were back in their homeland, and the prophet was giving them the admonition from God to “Rebuild the Temple.” God is giving him visions, signs, and prophecies about what God will do through His temple again. But no one seems to be buying it…
You see, “The Glory days of the Temple” had departed. The days of David and Solomon and the most glorious Temple filled with praise, dancing, and fragrant offerings lay in rubble. How could they begin to compete with that, and if they couldn’t compete, why even try?
The prophet is moved “To lift up his eyes and LOOK.”
He receives a little glimpse of God’s government and power as he learns about the Four Chariots. Did you know that the ANGELS are often called “the Chariots of God”? (Ps. 68:17, 18:10).
Also, nations and churches are represented by different colors.
This vision is about ANGELS and NATIONS.
Our world may seem “out of order,” but Zechariah learns that God’s world is never “out of order.” He is sovereign. His spirits patrol the earth, keeping watch on the Lord’s behalf of anything that opposes the King and Kingdom’s agenda. He watches over all… even us, in our daily lives and details.
Bells symbolize a “Call to Worship” God. That is exactly what this book is all about. God called his people to not look at their past accomplishments or “Their Glory Days.” He asks them to instead look at HIS SOVEREIGN POWER. Not only is HE worthy of praise, but HE enables our praise.
Do you ever struggle to respond wholeheartedly to God’s call to worship HIM? Perhaps you may worry about failing, your abilities, inadequacies, or apathy.
To these fearful people who God called to rebuild the Temple, He said, “Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit.” (4:6-7)
This is God’s message to us as He calls us to put Him at the center of our lives in all areas. I can’t predict how it will go tonight, but I know I will humbly show up to “Ring my Bells.”
After all, God loves “Small Beginnings”... like mangers, stables, sheep… And even BELLS.
Small Beginnings… always begin with HOPES and FEARS!
“The Hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”
(O Little Town of Bethlehem)
