The Story of Christmas, Day 10: Monday, December 5 – Zechariah 9:9-17 The Baby Triumphs

On the tenth day of Christmas, my Bible said to me...the baby born in Bethlehem was able to triumph over all the enemies of God. 

Today's Reading: Zechariah 9:9-17

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

    righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

    and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

    and he shall speak peace to the nations;

his rule shall be from sea to sea,

    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,

    I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.

12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;

    today I declare that I will restore to you double.

13 For I have bent Judah as my bow;

    I have made Ephraim its arrow.

I will stir up your sons, O Zion,

    against your sons, O Greece,

    and wield you like a warrior's sword.

The Lord Will Save His People

14 Then the Lord will appear over them,

    and his arrow will go forth like lightning;

the Lord God will sound the trumpet

    and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.

15 The Lord of hosts will protect them,

    and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones,

and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine,

    and be full like a bowl,

    drenched like the corners of the altar.

16 On that day the Lord their God will save them,

    as the flock of his people;

for like the jewels of a crown

    they shall shine on his land.

17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!

    Grain shall make the young men flourish,

    and new wine the young women.

Devotional Thoughts

The baby was born and then he grew. Became a man. Preached. Healed. Gathered many disciples and then the time came. He set his face toward Jerusalem and moved up the Jordan Valley. Slowly, he scaled the mountain and at just the right time, when everything was ready, he mounted a donkey and rode over the top of the hill, down the valley through Gethsemane and up the rise into the gates of Jerusalem. As this was happening, the people shouted and cried, "Hosanna." 

All of this took place in the direct fulfillment of prophecy. Long ago, through the prophet Zechariah, God told us that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem in humility, on a donkey. Great kings and generals tried to impress the world with their mighty steeds, war horses that would intimidate their enemies and show others how great they were. But God's Chosen One would be a man of humility, coming into town on a donkey. 

But that humility should never be mistaken for weakness. He might ride into town in humility, but never has Jerusalem seen such a conqueror. Some of the great emperors and generals of all time had ridden into Jerusalem in victory, but none could match the exploits of this baby born and laid in a manger. The child of humility, the One who rode into Jerusalem on donkey - he was the Conquering Hero of history. He was the one who would set the prisoners free and defeat every enemy of God. 

This baby that we celebrate, my friend, is more that most ever imagine. Christmas is no photo-op for cards and knick-knacks. Jesus Christ is the King and and Conqueror and none can stand against him. His power none can defeat. 

What are the challenges in your life? The greatest is your sin, of course. Jesus overcome that sin. Are there enemies? Jesus will defeat them. Do you face trials and hardships? He can lift you up and sustain you. 

The one who rode in on that donkey was the King, the conquering Lord, the one against whom no enemy could stand!

Lord, you conquer. You are victorious over all. I trust you with all of my life, my problems, my challenges. 

Think and Pray

What is it that stresses or bothers you today? 
Remind yourself that the one who came in the name of the Lord, the one who rode into Jerusalem on the Donkey is able to deal with anything and can handle your issues. 
Pray and seek his help and guidance. 

Carol of the Day

He rules the world with truth and grace,And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love,

And wonders of his love, 

And wonders, wonders, of his love.