In the last few chapters of the book of Zechariah, the future Kingdom of God is explored. In this chapter particularly, we see that despite God’s love and care towards His people, Israel continues to sin against God. However, while Israel will eventually be destroyed, He will still save a remnant of the Jews, even though they sinned greatly. What can we thus learn about the salvation given to us today, other than that of God’s mercy being so great?

Because of their unbelief, they were broken off, and we stand by faith.

Though Israel had rejected the gospel, it was also God’s great mercy which rendered us salvation grace today. What can we do to repay the love and grace of God? Through our church duties - some of us play the piano, handle the maintenance of the church, cook for others, impart the bible’s teachings to others or even minister the lost sheep, these are ways for us to use our capabilities to the fullest to contribute to God’s ministry whilst on earth.

Perhaps some of us may also repay the love of God by being ambassadors of the truth told to us, to spread God's salvation plan to people around us so that their hearts may turn to the right - just as we are commissioned to (Matthew 28:18-20). Regardless, our mindsets in serving shall be in tune to how we may do our part to better God’s church everyday, as part of a way to repay His mercy and love for us.

How much can God’s mercy last?

From the many chances God granted the Israelites in the wilderness in the book of Numbers to Jonah, who was eventually vomited onto dry land, we see how unquantifiable and vast God’s mercy can be. Does this mean that God’s mercy will last forever? Just as how the Israelites will eventually be punished in Zechariah 13, we cannot be too complacent in the fact that we lie in God’s salvation plan. Though we are now grafted onto the olive tree because Israel rejected Him, it is important to remember that we were never worthy in the first place.

We are therefore constantly reminded to fear God and not be haughty (Romans 11:20).

For just as God can cut off His chosen people (the Israelites), He can definitely remove us (who are not natural branches!) from His salvation plan too. In a world today that increasingly lacks grounded concepts in morals, how can we be sensitive to what is wrong and remind ourselves to leave sin? Do we fear God enough to prioritise possible activities and thoughts that may offend Him rather than the world?

While this may sound intimidating, let us also remember that we are not left alone to battle difficulties and trials in this life. We can always rely on prayer, the truth and the Holy Spirit to help us battle situations that may feel overwhelmingly challenging or impossible - so that we may eventually be chosen to reign with Him.

‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ (2 Timothy 4:7-8)