Zechariah 8:1

 Zechariah 8:1 says, Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,  Verse two adds, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.  God said He was jealous for Zion, or His people.  God had a great concern for them, even though He had punished them for their sins.  Even though God may have to punish His people at times, He never does so without love and compassion for them.  Verse three states, Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.  God said that since He had returned to Jerusalem to dwell in its midst that it would be known as a city of truth.  God also said that the mountains around Jerusalem would be known as holy mountains.  When God is in our midst as followers of Christ today, we should be known as holy people, or those guided by His word.  Verse four declares, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.   God said that men and women would grow old in Jerusalem.  They weren't going to be there for just a little while.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, He is with us forever.  We can grow old in the certainty that nothing will ever separate us from Him.  Of course, we need to realize that God is going to be jealous of His relationship with us, and not in a negative way that we often think of jealousy.   Verse five continues, And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.  Not only were people going to grow old in Jerusalem, but they were to be born and grow up there as well, playing in the streets without fear.  Some people in God's kingdom today have grown old in their faith, and some are new born or young in their faith, but all are secured by God's power.  Verse six asks, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.  God.  God asked if they thought that what was good for them was not what He wanted.  We need never question God's ability to bring good things into our lives if we put our faith in Him, nor should we question His desire to do so.  Still, this does not mean that God is going to give us everything we want, but He is going to supply us with everything we need to do what He calls us to do.  Verse seven declares, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;   God said that He was going to save His people, no matter where they were in the world.  Being one of God's people is not about where we are located physically, but is about where we are spiritually.  Verse eight adds, And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.  God said that He would bring His people to Jerusalem, His city, and that they would be His people and He would be their God.  The people of God were called on to be His people in truth and righteousness.   Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We are to be righteous people who proclaim the truth of God.