Plucked and Protected

Today’s Reading –  Zechariah 1 – 5

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? (Zechariah 3:1 & 2)

The verses referenced above tell of Satan attempting to “resist” a man named Joshua who was the High Priest during the time of the return of the captivity to Jerusalem. Here was a man trying to do the work of God, and Satan desired to stop him from his work. God intervenes and does not allow Satan to hinder the work. God says that Joshua was “a brand plucked out of the fire”. That phrase reminds me of what Jude said in the New Testament:

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Jude 23)

I take comfort from these verses for two reasons. First, I am just a brand plucked out of the fire myself. I am a hell deserving sinner that was saved by the marvelous grace of God. I have nothing to offer God except my service to Him. He has saved me from the fire, so the least that I can do is give myself to His commission of winning people to Christ and training those that trust Him. What a glorious privilege it is to serve the God of Heaven. Why God chooses to use us is a mystery, but I am sure glad that He has called me into His service.

Secondly, I got to thinking about how Satan wants to resist us and destroy us. Jesus told Peter that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat. That does not sound like a pleasant experience. Satan hates me especially because he lost me. I was part of his world, but now I am a child of the King an a citizen of Heaven. Satan would love to get his filthy hands on me; and he loves to try to hinder the work that God has given me to do. But Satan has a leash on him, just like I would put on one of my dogs. He can’t do whatever he wants to do. He can only do what he is allowed to do. And if God lets him through to me it is only because he knows that it will strengthen me, and glorify Him. I know that what ever God allows Satan to do to me I can handle through the power of God. Interestingly, the very next chapter gives that famous verse regarding another man, Zerubbabel:

…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.(Zechariah 4:6b)

It is wonderful to know that God is with me as I yield myself to His will fulfilling His service. Satan hates me. He wants to destroy and devour; but he can’t get past God, unless God allows it. And if God allows it, I can get through it through the power of His Spirit.