God's Unlimited Plan

Scripture: And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw a man with a measuring cord in his hand.  And I said, “Where are you going?” And he responded, “To measure Jerusalem and to note what is its width and length.” Then the angel who was speaking with me went out, and then another angel came out to meet him, and said to him, “Run, say to this young man: Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and animals in her. And I will be like a wall of fire all around her, says the Lord, and I will be as glory in her midst.” ... Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for I am coming and will dwell in your midst, says the Lord. And many nations will join themselves with the Lord in that day, and they will be My people. And I will reside in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to you. Zechariah 2:1-5,10-11

Observation: The Jews are about to be called back to Jerusalem after their 70 year exile, and Zechariah has this specific vision ... a worker is going to measure Jerusalem in order to determine its size and thus how many people can live there, however an angel intercedes. There will be no limit to the numbers that return and seek God! The city will overflow its walls, and be comprised of people from all nations - not just Jews - who will also all become the people of God.

This prophecy, of course, is not fulfilled immediately. At first, only Jews will return, and they will rebuild the city walls. When Jesus comes hundreds of years later, he will enter through those walls. It is not until the completion of the redemptive work of Jesus (prophesized in chapter 3) that faith will be extended to all nations and eventually Jerusalem will overflow.

However, even a holy vision attempted to put a limit on God's plan! This man is going to assume that God's plan for Jerusalem is to restore the remnant, but God's plan is actually to now redeem the entire world!! This will be the new thing he does ... not bring Israel back from the edge, but using that foundation to now draw the entire world out of the abyss.

Application: Even in doing God's work, I can aim too small. Like the man - a holy worker who is about to measure Jerusalem - I don't understand the real scope of God's plan. God says "are we ready to do this" and I say "yup, let me go work" ... and just like that, I'm doing the wrong thing. I'm putting limits on the plan due to my limited knowledge, understanding, and faith.

This applies to how I interact with people in the name of Jesus daily. This applies to service at church. This applies to my support of my wife and children. In all cases, I need to not just jump into action. I need to pray, seek God's true work, and join him in a grander plan.

Prayer: Abba, daddy, father, my Lord and God ... please forgive my human shortcomings. They manifest in my sins for certain, and I seek your forgiveness. However, my shortcomings can even manifest in my faithful action. I know you will not be limited by my limits. You cannot be contained in my constrained thinking. Again, please forgive my small thoughts and my small ways. I seek to know you better. Amen.