Aside from economics lecture from 1-2 and prayer meeting from 7-8:30, I spent the day working on my economics essay and computer science homework. The essay is a 5-10 page 1.5 spaced essay due thursday, and my homework is due tomorrow. I'm going to spend all of tomorrow on the essay.

Devotion time questions:

Zechariah 13

What can I learn from the fact that with cleansing comes banishing of idolatry and false prophecy that was the source of sin and impurity?

To address sins in our lives, we need to attack the root of the problem and not simply the surface issues. If we only deal with specific sins and not subtle things that lead us into sin, then we haven't dealt with the issue appropriately, since we've left the door open for those sins to reenter our lives.

In what ways do idolatry and false prophecy lead to impurity?

Idolatry takes our eyes off of God and his laws and causes us to look towards things of this world. Since this is a fallen world, this leads to sinfulness and impurity.

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24

Are there idols, false prophecies (false beliefs, worldviews), or a “spirit of impurity” that needs to be cleansed from my life?

Yes.

Thoughts omitted here.

As this passage parallels the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus and the initial dispersion of his disciples, reflect on the fact that Jesus was the shepherd that was struck for our sake.

Thoughts omitted here.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 5:35

How am I like the sheep that once was scattered but was brought back to God’s fold?

Thoughts omitted here.

What does the fact that God Himself struck down “the man close to [Him]”, His own Son, remind me about the ultimate sacrificial nature of the cross?

It was we who crucified him on the cross by our sins, but it was God who accepted the ultimate price it took to redeem us and bring us back to himself.

Reflect on the open fountain that has been made available “to cleanse [me] from sin and impurity” through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.

All we need to do is truly repent of our sins before God to be forgiven of them. This does not give us a licence to sin, but gives us freedom from the sins that we still find ourselves facing even when committed to following Christ.

Thoughts omitted here.

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
Acts 5:31

What can I learn about the heart of God from the imagery of “fountain” that is “opened” for cleansing of my sin?

His love and mercy towards us is infinite and boundless. By his unending love towards us, we are continually forgiven for our many trespasses.

...how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Ephesians 3:18