We finished our waffle cones at the little sea-side village ice cream shop and made our way for the door. "You can't leave," we were told, "they are in the middle of a shoot." The "shoot" the man was referring to was a movie that was filming in the street outside. We were "stuck" in that shop smelling those freshly made cones for another half hour while a major film star filmed a scene. That scene, which took hours to set up and film, lasted less than a minute in the actual movie. Movie goers didn't see us sitting in the ice cream shop. They also didn't see all of the shops on the street get painted before filming. There were a lot of behind the scenes things that happened which they were unaware. In life, there are a lot of things happening, often in the spiritual realm, of which we are unaware. Zechariah 3 records a vision the prophet saw concerning Joshua who was the Jewish high priest following the Jews return to Israel from exile. Joshua was focused on seeing the temple rebuilt and proper worship restored. He was unaware of what was happening behind the scenes, as well as what was to come. We are told in the first two verses that Joshua was opposed in heaven by Satan, but God rebuked the Devil. As God's leader for the moment, Joshua was in essence standing between heaven and earth enabling the fulfillment of God's plan. With that kind of high spiritual profile position, it was no wonder he would be opposed directly by Satan. We are also told in this passage that
Joshua's iniquity was cleansed (vv3-5) and he was promised eternal prominence if he remained faithful (vv6-7). Even greater than that, we are told that Joshua was a sign of the coming Christ (vv8-10). Joshua was just going about his business trying to faithfully serve the Lord and lead others into His presence. Until Zechariah's vision, he had no idea all of this was taking place behind the scenes. You and I may not know what is taking place in the spiritual realms behind the scenes of our lives, but it is important to remain faithful regardless. One day we will understand it all. Until then, let's stay the course and run with perseverance the race that God has set before us.
_________________________ Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.
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