Day 81 March 22 Zechariah 7:7

Zechariah 7:7-10“There’s nothing new to say on the subject. Don’t you still have the message of the earlier prophets from the time when Jerusalem was still a thriving, bustling city and the outlying countryside, the Negev and Shephelah, was populated? [This is the message that God gave Zechariah.] Well, the message hasn’t changed. God-of-the-Angel-Armies said then and says now:“‘Treat one another justly. Love your neighbors. Be compassionate with each other. Don’t take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor. Don’t plot and scheme against one another—that’s evil.’When I look around at the world, what do I see? I see evil. I see people who try to find a way to cheat on their bosses or cheat their employees. I see neighbors with enmity in their hearts toward each other. I see people who ignore their children in favor of work and demand from their spouses what they don’t want to do for themselves.I see governments, employers and people in authority who take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors from out of town or country, and the poor people. So many people plotting and scheming against one another. God says this is evil.Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Soften my heart with your love, your grace, and your mercy. Teach me to listen to you when you point out people to me. Help me to do what you ask for them.Fill me with your gentleness and your kindness so that I can spread your love to these people that you love. Teach me how to be more like you in every aspect of my life.Take my hand today and guide me through this day. Let me be righteous in my dealings with others. Let me be cheerful and filled with your joy. You are my hope in this evil world.