Zechariah 14:9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

We don’t usually think of Zechariah when we think of Last Days prophets, but this chapter certainly contains some graphic details.
Some people get all caught up in such details, trying to figure out how they could be fulfilled, but in the final analysis, this verse expresses what matters. The time will come when there will be no more conflict about religion, because it will be totally obvious that there is only one God. In Revelation as well it is made clear that the conflict will be pretty intense before it’s all over, but we should be focused on the outcome rather than on the conflict itself. Conflict of all sorts, both physical and spiritual, is a fact of life, but it is an opportunity to grow in faith and trust. No matter what the short-term outcome, God, and those who are with Him in Christ, win in the end. That can be a hard thing to remember when the expression “all hell is breaking loose” seems literally accurate! At this point we cannot know why God allows some of the things that go on, but there is no end to the stories of His mighty acts on behalf of those who trust Him. When we are overwhelmed and tempted to throw in the towel, we need to remember the ultimate end of it all, and trust Him.

I have had some pretty low points over the years, and some pretty intense conflict as well, though not of a physical/military sort. At the moment I’m challenged by pulmonary congestion, when I will be taping three messages this afternoon for a Christian TV station and I am to distribute Bibles with the Gideons this morning. This is where faith comes in. My immediate conflict is totally minor compared to my brothers and sisters in Christ who are literally being slaughtered in places like Nigeria and Pakistan. I dishonor them and I dishonor the Lord whose Name I bear when I focus on my own difficulties and throw a “pity party.” I am to rest, relax, and rejoice in my God, however I feel physically and whatever is going on around me. Ultimately, His is the only Name and He is all that matters, and I am to rest secure in that.

Father, it’s interesting to realize how easily I am swayed by minor things. Thank You for Your patience with me! As a pastor I get frustrated with people who get tripped up and caught up in minor things, but I need to remember my own weaknesses! Help me walk in Your grace and extend it to those around me, so that Your Name may be hallowed and Your kingdom come as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!