Should a Woman be a Pastor?

Prophetic Promise for the Remnant
Zechariah 8
submitted by Rev. Cheryl Birch
May 18, 2008

Break though -
What will it be like when the Lord arises and scatters the enemy and we breakthrough
the mindsets, emotional strongholds and demonic hindrances and enter into the
Glory of the Lord?

I pondered recently over whether or not we have the perseverance
to make it to that glorious time. There seems to be hindrances, time wasting problems,
and nattering attacks coming from all sides. From silly things like a flea infestation on pets to
pipes breaking or cars falling apart, to serious issues like people rushed to the hospital or falling
ill for no apparent reason, to time wasting computer problems at work,
I have observed that the Remnant is being hindered everywhere on every side.

The fleas were one of the attacks in this house that sort of put me over the edge as they bite me
and I got full of little welts. As I sat pitying me and selfishly complaining to the Lord, I asked Him
if we would ever breakthrough these irritating setbacks to HIM. Truly, I don't want my days and
nights cluttered with this stuff I cried. Then He reminded me that He had given me a promise in
Zechariah 8. I had written down the reference, read it briefly and then got distracted.
I went to Zechariah to reread the promise...
It is just what those of us who are discouraged and feel hindered need to hear!

It is a promise for the Hebrew people and the city of Jerusalem. Being spiritual Hebrews, meaning
"ones who have crossed over" into salvation, the promise is alive for us as well. He gave me all of
Chapter 8 and most especially these verses out of the New Living Translation

6“This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged
remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty? 7 This is what the
LORD Almighty says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west.
8 I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful
and just toward them as their God.
9“This is what the LORD Almighty says: Take heart and finish the task! You have heard what the prophets
have been saying about building the Temple of the LORD Almighty ever since the foundation was laid. 10
Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no wages for either people or animals. No traveler
was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.
11 But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the LORD Almighty.
12 For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The
earth will produce its crops, and the sky will release the dew. Once more I will make the remnant in Judah
and Israel the heirs of these blessings.

My whole attitude changed as these words from our Lord came alive for the Remnant.
We are so blessed that nothing is impossible for our God.
Though we are a small and discouraged remnant at times, He will bring us home -
Home, the Lord revealed to me, is His presence.
In His presence there will be peace and prosperity.
Despite dangers all around and nattering distractions, we will bear much
good fruit and be heirs of blessing.

If you have been discouraged, even if it has been years, don't give up,don't give in,
Press in to ME says the Lord. (Read the full prophecy at http://www.cherylbirchministries.
com/dontgiveup.html. )

Everything in me, despite the attacks of discouragement, tells me that we are entering a time of
great outpouring. It is a time of change and all things are becoming new and fresh.

As different as were Saul and David, will be the change we are about to experience.

I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.