Zechariah 13:8-9 NIV “In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, The Lord is our God.”

Scripture has never promised that most people will choose God.

In fact, it promises the opposite.

Through the prophet Zechariah, the Lord speaks with sobering clarity:

“Two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.” (Zechariah 13:8–9, NIV)

God reveals a dividing line—not just between nations, but between people. Between those who belong to Him and those who do not. Between those who endure refinement and those who reject Him.

Jesus later describes the same reality: two roads.

One is broad—flat, easy, crowded.
The other is narrow—difficult, costly, and lonely.

The broad road is filled with those who have rejected God in Jesus the Savior. It is attractive because it promises comfort now—health, wealth, pleasure, and control. Men on this road pursue what the world calls success, believing they are living their best life now.

But Scripture exposes the lie.

That road ends in eternal separation from God—everlasting torment for those who refused to humble themselves before Jesus.

The narrow road tells a different story.

The narrow road is filled with those who follow Jesus as disciples—men who persevere, who fight the flesh, resist the devil, and endure the hatred of a world that loves darkness and despises the light.

This road includes suffering.

Not because God is cruel—but because He is refining His people.

“This third I will put into the fire… They will call on my name and I will answer them.”

God’s people are not spared the fire. They are purified by it.

Health-and-wealth religion promises ease, but it belongs on the broad road. It is the tool of the deceiver, keeping men focused on comfort instead of Christ, possessions instead of obedience, the present life instead of eternity.

The narrow road is marked by giving, serving, and losing one’s life so that others may find salvation in Jesus.

The world calls these men fools—poor, weak, and irrelevant.

God calls them His people.

Both roads end at the same place: Jesus Christ.

He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
He is Savior and Judge.

Those who walked the broad road will stand before Him—and be sent away for refusing His mercy.

Those who endured the narrow road will hear the words every faithful man longs to hear:

“They are my people.”
“The Lord is our God.”

They will enter lush pastures of everlasting joy—life without end, provision without lack, peace without threat—living forever in the presence of God with all who have loved Him throughout history.

Run Today’s Play: Choose the narrow road.
Endure the refining fire.
Call on the name of the Lord.

Stop chasing comfort that cannot save you.
Stop believing lies that trade eternity for ease.
Follow Jesus—no matter the cost.

Because refinement proves ownership.
And those refined by God will live with Him forever.