Day 67

Have you ever been in a situation where someone was standing to accuse you, pointing their finger at you, and casting blame on you?

This is what is happening in Zechariah chapter three. Satan has an audience with the Lord and he is accusing Joshua the high priest of being a complete and total failure (Zechariah 3:1). 

Joshua is supposed to represent the people as the high priest. He is charged with the responsibility of making atonement for the sins of the whole nation. But Satan is resisting him because he is dressed in soiled, filthy garments.

If you remember from Leviticus, the high priest had to go through a very vigorous regiment of cleanliness before he could do his job properly. It's as if Satan is standing there saying "Ahah! See God! Your high priest is defiled. He is unclean. How can he represent the people. And how much more are your people defiled if your high priest is defiled?"

Now, if we are honest, we would have to agree with Satan. Yes, he is defiled. Yes, the people are defiled. Yes Satan, you are correct: The people do not have a sufficient advocate in Joshua the high priest. But look at how God responds to this accusation:

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by. (Zechariah 3:4-5)

God takes responsibility for the salvation of his people. It does not rest in the hands of mere mortals. In fact, God goes on to further say that he is sending his servant the BRANCH, also known as Jesus, who will be the one to change the peoples garments and cause their iniquity to pass from them.

So what does this all mean? Well, if Satan stands to accuse you and tell you that you are not good enough, God can never love you, you don't have what it takes... Simply reply with this: 

Yes Satan, I am not good enough. I do not have what it takes. I am unworthy. But I have a greater advocate. I have a greater high priest whose name is JESUS. And he is my savior. He takes me dirty and naked and clothes me with righteousness. The LORD is his name!

Sin will always stand to accuse you, but God will always stand to accept you. Sin seeks to separate you from God. The Spirit of God draws you close to the Son and the Father. Sin causes you to be afraid of God, grace calls you boldly to the throne of God.

Friends, I pray that you would not listen to the voice of Satan today. And if he does speak to you, remember your Savior who died for you and will never forsake you and never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).

In Christ Alone,

Jay Silvas