Morning  “The myrtle trees that were in the bottom.” / Zechariah 1:8

The vision in this chapter describes the condition of Israel in Zechariah’s
day; but being interpreted in its aspect towards us, it describes the Church
of God as we find it now in the world. The Church is compared to a myrtle
grove flourishing in a valley. It is hidden, unobserved, secreted; courting no
honour and attracting no observation from the careless gazer. The Church, like
her head, has a glory, but it is concealed from carnal eyes, for the time of
her breaking forth in all her splendour is not yet come. The idea of tranquil
security is also suggested to us: for the myrtle grove in the valley is still
and calm, while the storm sweeps over the mountain summits. Tempests spend
their force upon the craggy peaks of the Alps, but down yonder where flows the
stream which maketh glad the city of our God, the myrtles flourish by the
still waters, all unshaken by the impetuous wind. How great is the inward
tranquility of God’s Church! Even when opposed and persecuted, she has a peace
which the world gives not, and which, therefore, it cannot take away: the
peace of God which passeth all understanding keeps the hearts and minds of
God’s people. Does not the metaphor forcibly picture the peaceful, perpetual
growth of the saints? The myrtle sheds not her leaves, she is always green;
and the Church in her worst time still hath a blessed verdure of grace about
her; nay, she has sometimes exhibited most verdure when her winter has been
sharpest. She has prospered most when her adversities have been most severe.
Hence the text hints at victory. The myrtle is the emblem of peace, and a
significant token of triumph. The brows of conquerors were bound with myrtle
and with laurel; and is not the Church ever victorious? Is not every Christian
more than a conqueror through him that loved him? Living in peace, do not the
saints fall asleep in the arms of victory?

Evening   “Howl, fir tree, for the cedar is fallen.” / Zechariah 11:2

When in the forest there is heard the crash of a falling oak, it is a sign
that the woodman is abroad, and every tree in the whole company may tremble
lest to-morrow the sharp edge of the axe should find it out. We are all like
trees marked for the axe, and the fall of one should remind us that for every
one, whether great as the cedar, or humble as the fir, the appointed hour is
stealing on apace. I trust we do not, by often hearing of death, become
callous to it. May we never be like the birds in the steeple, which build
their nests when the bells are tolling, and sleep quietly when the solemn
funeral peals are startling the air. May we regard death as the most weighty
of all events, and be sobered by its approach. It ill behoves us to sport
while our eternal destiny hangs on a thread. The sword is out of its
scabbard–let us not trifle; it is furbished, and the edge is sharp–let us
not play with it. He who does not prepare for death is more than an ordinary
fool, he is a madman. When the voice of God is heard among the trees of the
garden, let fig tree and sycamore, and elm and cedar, alike hear the sound
thereof.

Be ready, servant of Christ, for thy Master comes on a sudden, when an ungodly
world least expects him. See to it that thou be faithful in his work, for the
grave shall soon be digged for thee. Be ready, parents, see that your children
are brought up in the fear of God, for they must soon be orphans; be ready,
men of business, take care that your affairs are correct, and that you serve
God with all your hearts, for the days of your terrestrial service will soon
be ended, and you will be called to give account for the deeds done in the
body, whether they be good or whether they be evil. May we all prepare for the
tribunal of the great King with a care which shall be rewarded with the
gracious commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant”