The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Zechariah 7:9-12, “’Thus has the LORD of hosts said, “Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and

compassion each to his brother;

10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your

hearts against one another.”

11 But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from

hearing.

12 And they made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the

LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore, great wrath came from

the LORD of hosts.’”

Did you ever observe an obstinate child cover his ears and shout, “I don’t want to hear it”? Usually, it is

a response from a reprimand or an accusation for having done something wrong. Yet, in any event, the child is determined not to hear it, and so covers his ears.

Through the prophet Zechariah, the LORD was instructing his people. They were to deal justly with

others and “practice kindness and compassion.” They were not to be unjust in dealing with widows, who had no husbands to support them. They were also to treat orphan children kindly and honestly. It all had to do with the heart. “Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another,” was the LORD’s command.

Sometimes we receive the LORD’s command for our lives as we read the Scriptures. Sometimes He

speaks to us through the words of our pastor or the counsel of a close and trusted friend. Certainly, we

are to weigh the words of counsel and seek the coroboration of the LORD in prayer. In many instances of life, we will hear instructive words that do not please us. We must never, however, cover our ears and close our minds to counsel that is honestly intended for our benefit. We must not dismiss counsel simply

because it does not comply with what we want to hear or believe. The LORD has many avenues whereby He conveys His will to us.

Pride builds walls of steel against truth and spiritual counsel. We tell ourselves that we don’t need counsel. We can handle it. But if that were true, why is the situation still plauguing us? Those who have

trusted Christ Jesus as their LORD and Savior, have been given the Holy Spirit to live within them and

to guide them in His way. Failure to adhere to His counsel will result in exceedingly great wrath from the

LORD. Therefore, keep your ears open and your heart ready for His counsel. Who cares more for you

than the LORD? And if you do not know Him, time is elapsing with every tick of the clock. The Master

is coming and is calling for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”