Turning weeping into joy:
Most of the time, God spoke through a prophet in times of old; it was for correction and reprimand. The tone of the prophet’s voice revealed what God wanted to say before they spoke. In Chapter 8 of the Book of the Prophet Zachariah, God instructed him to change his tone to that of joy and gladness. Their customary fasts, which were a sign of grief and repentance, were going to change (Za 8:19). The focal points of fasting were going to continue with God’s people, that is, to align their spiritual focus, to seek guidance, to enhance their praying time, but this time not for grief and repentance. Joy and gladness were going to be added to their fasting. The Psalmist said that weeping comes in the night, but joy comes in the morning (Ps 30:5). The Pharisees asked Jesus why his disciples did not fast like John’s, and Jesus answered them that joy and gladness are with them while the bridegroom is there (Mt 9:14-15). While we have God with us, even though trials and tribulations come, his joy strengthens us.
Zachariah 8:20-23
20 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also.
22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.23 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
This prophetic chapter tells of a time when people would hear that God would be with his people once again, and they would rush to join them in prayer. The hunger for God was going to be awakened in people as the Psalmist said, “As the deer panteth for water so does my soul panteth after thee…” (Ps 42:1-2). Hunger creates a sense of desperation in us, and so does spiritual hunger. Jesus said, If anyone comes to me, they will never be hungry again (Jh 6:35). Joining in with God’s people and going after him, saying, “I will go also,” is going to awaken in people’s hearts. The Prophet Zachariah mentioned that ten men would grab hold of the skirt of a Jew and go with him because God was with him. Ten Lepers as Jesus was traveling between Samaria and Galilee. They called out to him as a sign of grabbing his skirt, and asked him to have mercy on them and heal them, and he did (Lk 17:14). The woman with the issue of blood had faith that if she could only touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed. These knew that God was with Christ, so they took hold of the hem of his skirt.
Zachariah 8:19
19 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
Psalms 30:5
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Matthew 9:14-15
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Psalms 42:1-2
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
John 6:35
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Luke 17:14
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.