God's Peculiar people are Wondered At

"Hear now, O Joshua, the high-priest, thou, and thy fellows who sit before thee: For they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My Servant, the BRANCH." -Zechariah 3:8 [KJV]

Say, Christian soldier, did the Captain of thy salvation ever deceive thee? Did He not tell thee, before thou listed under His banner, who were His enemies, and what treatment thou wast to expect from them. His word speaks full and express on this point. Almost every page furnishes accounts, how the men of this world look upon the children of God. Here is Joshua the high-priest, with the prophets and people of God, wondered at. Jehovah Himself takes notice of it, and acquaints them with it. Sweet to observe, there cannot be a disdainful frown, a contemptuous sneer, nor a reproachful word cast upon God’s people, but He notices all. 

But why are we so much wondered at? Why truly, we are a set of visionaries. We see invisible objects; walk by faith; and have our conversation in heaven. But carnal men cannot see any of these things: how then can they wonder at us for this? Here lies the mystery. They see plain enough that you cannot live as they do, and enjoy yourself in their ways, (woe be to that Christian who does) and therefore they wonder what is come to you, and what you would be at. Soul, were you never wondered at? If not, you ought to question whether you have been faithful to your Lord, Who is styled wonderful (Isaiah 9:6.) 

And He says, “Behold I, and the children which the Lord hath given Me, are for signs and wonders in Israel” (Isaiah 8:18.) Better be a wonder of Satan’s children, than a slave to their master. For while the wicked wonder at, and despise us, see the reward God gives us. Here is a blessed promise for us, which infinitely overbalances all. Behold, I will bring forth My Servant, the Branch. Jesus, your Saviour: that Branch of the Lord, Who shall be beautiful and glorious (Isaiah 4:2.) 

That “righteous Branch” (Jeremiah 23:5.) I will bring forth to your view: so display His beauty, glory, and righteousness to the faith of your hearts, that you shall rejoice in Him, with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. Now Christian, you have two things to wonder at, 

(1st.) The astonishing rich grace of thy God. 

(2d.) At thyself. Art thou not a mere lump of sin, yet a miracle of mercy, and a monument of grace? 

 

Dear Lord, my soul would Thee confess 

Before a wond’ring, throng: 

Thou art my glorious righteousness, 

My love, my joy, my song. 

Lord, while I live and own Thy grace, 

Give me to prove its pow’r; 

Lest I disgrace Thy holy way, 

In an unguarded hour.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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