Zechariah 1:3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

It strikes me that at this point Zechariah was not at all used to being the Lord’s spokesperson. It’s like he is reminding himself that it is God saying these things, and he is insisting the same thing to those who hear him. When we think about it, it is remarkable that the Creator of the universe would choose to speak to, much less through, His creatures! However, virtually every culture down through history has had the tradition that this happens. Part of that comes from the spiritual reality that the devil and his demons, who imitate God in just about everything, do the same sort of thing. Demonic possession is also a tradition with long standing! That’s why John admonishes us to “test the spirits.” (1 John 4:1) That said, it is a glorious thing to allow God to speak through you. We can understand why Zechariah was a bit awed by it all! That’s why it’s all the more remarkable that under the New Covenant, all believers are to seek to be used in this way. (1 Corinthians 14:1) Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that we ourselves need to listen obediently to whatever God says through us. It is sadly common that those used in prophecy feel they are above their hearers, and that they don’t need to pay attention themselves to what God is saying. That is certainly a trick of the devil! It is far more appropriate and beneficial to be like Daniel, who was personally righteous, but repented on behalf of all the Jews. (Daniel 9) We tend to react to people who “speak God’s words” as though they were “super Christians,” but even Jesus cautioned us to look at the fruit of their lives before we swallow what they are saying. (Matthew 7:20) All of those cautionary notes aside, it is still wonderfully true that God does speak to and through His children, and we should expect to Hear from Him through others and keep ourselves available for Him to speak through us as well.

I don’t remember the first time God spoke directly through me, per­haps because I wasn’t even aware of it at the time. I have had quite a few times that I have spoken with a clear awareness that was happening, and I have had a few times when God has stopped speaking and I haven’t. Those feel horrible! Not long after one such time I was in a service and felt a strong urge to speak, so I did, but then it stopped in the middle of a sentence, so I stopped. At that moment, someone on the other side of the room picked it up without a break, and I knew without question that it had indeed been the Holy Spirit speaking through me, and through the other brother as well. In recent years, and particularly in this church, I have had very few times of using the words, “The Lord says,” but I strive always to say only what He is saying regardless. My calling is as Pastor/Teacher, and not as Pro­phet, but I am in trouble if I am only teaching “the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:8) As Jesus said, I am accountable for “every careless word [I] have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36) I am to rejoice in the incredibly gracious privilege of speaking out what God is saying, but I am never to take it lightly, or think I have earned it. I am also to encourage every believer to allow God to speak through them, because there can be no such thing as too much of the Word of the Lord!

Father, thank You for this beautiful reminder and encouragement. Thank You also for the Word You are growing in me for Sunday. It’s coming to me in a somewhat different way than I am used to, but I have full assurance that it is from You. May I deliver it clearly without distortion, so that it may indeed accomplish everything for which You send it, (Isaiah 55:10-11) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!