The exciting thing about the visions of Zechariah is that they are fulfilled in our time. Whereas the Jews of Zechariah’s time may have rejoiced in the hope that these visions cast for the future, we can find joy by connecting with the reality of these things now. For they are unfolding in our time. The church is the New Jerusalem, a city without walls, and here God is gathering different nations together into one accord. God is a wall of fire around his people, and he has placed his glory within each one of us by his Spirit. A great thing is unfolding, and yet for many people this is all very abstract. To access these realities and make them part of your everyday experience we might do just as Zechariah says here in chapter 2. First of all, he bids all who are far away from God’s purpose to leave the places of their captivity (2:6-7). In other words, we should disentangle ourselves from the things that hold our hearts captive. Secondly, Zechariah says: “Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” His call to silence is a call to reverence and faith in God. Silence is a powerful gesture of worship. In our culture of constant noise and frenetic activity this gesture is particularly important. Have you tried to sit before God in silence? The harder it is, the more you need to discipline yourself to do this. Learning to inhabit silent spaces will transform your prayer life.
Spend some time in stillness before God.
Read Zechariah 2
