Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.
Oh Friends, do you belong to that august company; the prisoners of hope? I certainly hope so, for without hope, life is meaningless, we might as well be dead. Life’s only worthwhile when we have something to look forward to, to hope for. In Chap.9. Zechariah’s talking about the judgement that will befall the nations around Jerusalem at the Messiah’s coming. ‘And Tyrus did build herself a stronghold, and heaped silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. Behold the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea. and she shall be devoured by fire. Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.’ (vs.3-5) Strong words indeed people! But having emanated from the Lord, they’re also true. Zechariah is attempting to boost his people’s spirit, by telling them of the good things the Lord has in store for them: Jerusalem will be restored, and there will be peace and prosperity in the land. So he then declares: ‘Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion; shout O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.’ (vs.9) What an insightful prophecy people! That’s Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. ‘And he shall speak peace unto the heathen, and his domain shall be from sea even to sea, and from river even to the ends of the earth.’ (vs.10) Yes Friends, Zechariah was a man on a mission; to bolster his people’s faith. He did that by sowing seeds of hope, with good news in the offing: peace, rest and salvation when the Saviour came. Therefore, ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope;’ Zechariah knew that in rough times the best thing we have going for us is hope, hope that things will get better. He also knew that that hope had to be upgraded to faith, and then that faith, used to find fortitude and courage. And that could only be achieved through the God of their fathers. It’s the same today Friends. The prophets prophesied of Jesus’ coming to give their people hope. And it all came true. Now Jesus said He’s coming back, this time as a mighty conqueror, and there’s no reason to doubt Him. But because of our fallen nature and the evil ploys of the enemy, we occasionally become faint and discouraged, especially in troubled times. But as Dr.Robert Schuller enthusiastically points out, ‘Tough times never last, But tough people do!’ That was Zechariah’s message; Times are bad, but there’s something better on the horizon, and if you’ll only hold your heads up, lift your spirits, stand strong in the hope and promises of our God, who can do anything, then we’ll soon see a better day. That’s what Jesus promised us too; a new and better day if we follow Him. ‘..even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.’ Oh Friends, what a generous God! ‘For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.’ (Is.61:7) Oh Friends, nothing has changed. The Lord’s still going to show goodness and mercy to those who hope in Him, who show themselves faithful. Just like those Israelites of old, we’re living in some really troubled times, but Jesus promised that it would get better when He returned, and in the meanwhile His Holy Spirit will guide and protect us. So there’s no need to fret and worry. Become a prisoner of hope, and surround yourselves with people of faith so you can encourage each other. And if you can’t find anybody, then, like Bruh David, you’ve got to encourage yourself in the Lord. But Friends, whatever it takes, we must not, never ever, lose hope, faith and belief in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It would be disastrous. Much LOVE!…from a trusting heart…hope springs eternal…
Oh Friends, do you belong to that august company; the prisoners of hope? I certainly hope so, for without hope, life is meaningless, we might as well be dead. Life’s only worthwhile when we have something to look forward to, to hope for. In Chap.9. Zechariah’s talking about the judgement that will befall the nations around Jerusalem at the Messiah’s coming. ‘And Tyrus did build herself a stronghold, and heaped silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. Behold the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea. and she shall be devoured by fire. Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.’ (vs.3-5) Strong words indeed people! But having emanated from the Lord, they’re also true. Zechariah is attempting to boost his people’s spirit, by telling them of the good things the Lord has in store for them: Jerusalem will be restored, and there will be peace and prosperity in the land. So he then declares: ‘Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion; shout O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.’ (vs.9) What an insightful prophecy people! That’s Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. ‘And he shall speak peace unto the heathen, and his domain shall be from sea even to sea, and from river even to the ends of the earth.’ (vs.10) Yes Friends, Zechariah was a man on a mission; to bolster his people’s faith. He did that by sowing seeds of hope, with good news in the offing: peace, rest and salvation when the Saviour came. Therefore, ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope;’ Zechariah knew that in rough times the best thing we have going for us is hope, hope that things will get better. He also knew that that hope had to be upgraded to faith, and then that faith, used to find fortitude and courage. And that could only be achieved through the God of their fathers. It’s the same today Friends. The prophets prophesied of Jesus’ coming to give their people hope. And it all came true. Now Jesus said He’s coming back, this time as a mighty conqueror, and there’s no reason to doubt Him. But because of our fallen nature and the evil ploys of the enemy, we occasionally become faint and discouraged, especially in troubled times. But as Dr.Robert Schuller enthusiastically points out, ‘Tough times never last, But tough people do!’ That was Zechariah’s message; Times are bad, but there’s something better on the horizon, and if you’ll only hold your heads up, lift your spirits, stand strong in the hope and promises of our God, who can do anything, then we’ll soon see a better day. That’s what Jesus promised us too; a new and better day if we follow Him. ‘..even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.’ Oh Friends, what a generous God! ‘For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.’ (Is.61:7) Oh Friends, nothing has changed. The Lord’s still going to show goodness and mercy to those who hope in Him, who show themselves faithful. Just like those Israelites of old, we’re living in some really troubled times, but Jesus promised that it would get better when He returned, and in the meanwhile His Holy Spirit will guide and protect us. So there’s no need to fret and worry. Become a prisoner of hope, and surround yourselves with people of faith so you can encourage each other. And if you can’t find anybody, then, like Bruh David, you’ve got to encourage yourself in the Lord. But Friends, whatever it takes, we must not, never ever, lose hope, faith and belief in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It would be disastrous. Much LOVE!…from a trusting heart…hope springs eternal…
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