Today you should read: Zechariah 1
The book of Zechariah was written by Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo who was probably his grandfather (1:1 and Ezra 5:1 and 6:14). Zechariah was a prophet in Judah and he lived and prophesized about 520 B.C. during the reign of Darius king of Persia. He was a contemporary with Haggai (Ezra 5:1). He was martyred – Jesus told us that Zechariah was killed between the altar and the temple (Luke 11:51).
Zechariah as depicted on Michelangelo’s ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Like many of the other Minor Prophets we’ve been studying, Zechariah chapter 1 is a call for God’s people to return to the Lord.
Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. (v. 2)
Zechariah goes on to challenge the people not to be like their stubborn ancestors who refused to listen and brought judgment on themselves and those around them.
Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention … (v. 4)
God is merciful – full of kindness to His people. Aren’t you glad! This very prophetic chapter reminds us what John tells us about our Father.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Our Father is full of grace – giving us what we absolutely do not deserve and often holding back the punishment we do deserve. However, we must also realize that He’s equally full of truth – justice. Our God is as Just as He is Loving – as full of Truth as He is Grace.
I think for many of us today – God is saying the same thing as He did to the people in Zechariah’s day…
Return to me. Don’t be like others who pay no attention to my warnings.
What are the areas in which God is calling you to return today? Unfulfilled promises? Forgotten commitments? Is He calling you away from destructive, habitual sin in your life?
What are you going to do? Repent – turn from your sin, confess and seek accountability to keep you on track or continue to ignore the warnings?
My prayer for you today, is that you will acknowledge God’s love and grace, and respond to your wonderful Father.
Posted by: Tim Parsons
JumpstartCPC.com 
Started back in with Jumpstart today after a hiatus… Exactly what I needed to hear from the Lord: He is full of grace AND truth, and I’m returning to Him. Love how God uses jumpstart to meet each one of us where we are. Thanks, Tim. 🙂