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The Weekly Word: The Work of the Carpenter

By Pastor Paul and Dixie Phillips, Gospel Lighthouse Church, Floyd

Then I looked up, and there before me were four horns. I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these?”

He answered me, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”

Then the Lord showed me four carpenters. I asked, “What are these coming to do?”

He answered, “The carpenters have come to terrify and throw down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

— Zechariah 1:18-21

Is not this the Carpenter?

— Mark 6:3

The Weekly Word: The Work of the Carpenter
Pastor Paul and Dixie Phillips, Gospel Lighthouse Church, Floyd

God gave the prophet Zechariah a vision. He saw four horns, representing four evil powers that had scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem. They had tossed them like furious bulls with their horns. They had scattered them, so that no man showed his face for fear of them, much less give them any opposition.

Have you ever felt beat up and trampled by the cruel blows of life? Sometimes the struggles seem insurmountable.

Maybe we have said like Zechariah, “I looked up and saw an enemy trying to scatter my family. Something trying to destroy my life, my marriage, my children, my faith, my church and my country.”

The Bible tells us we have a real enemy – the devil, and he is always on the lookout to destroy people. He leaves lives scattered and littered along the roadways of life.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

— 1 Peter 5:8

But the enemy’s horns weren’t all that Zechariah saw. He looked up again and saw four carpenters. They had power to make right what was wrong. God provided those carpenters to defeat the adversary.

Carpenters build firm foundations. They rebuild and restore homes and buildings after a horrific storm. Jesus was a carpenter, and built the ultimate foundation for our lives with three nails and two pieces of wood. He came to give us abundant and eternal life.

The devil comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

— John 10:10

​​I’m not sure where you are in your life today. Maybe all you are seeing is the enemy’s horns and the devastation he has left behind. But I pray the Lord will open your eyes to see the Carpenter. He is more powerful than the enemy.

Jesus is a Master at rebuilding broken lives. He is the God of second chances. He is all-powerful and can defeat the enemy that’s been attacking you. He wants to redeem your story.

Just call on His name and you will find He is willing to rebuild your life. There’s nothing you have done that Jesus will not or cannot forgive. He has a bright future for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope

— Jeremiah 29:11


Pastor Paul and Dixie Phillips have been honored to serve the Gospel Lighthouse Church, 205 Madison Street, in Floyd, Iowa, since 1981. To find out more about the church and ministry go to www.floydslighthouse.com

 

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