Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. Zechariah 9: 13, NKJV.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for freeing us from despair and hopelessness, and turning us into “prisoners of hope.” Please help us to live beneath the shadow of Your wings. This is our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Yesterday we mentioned that this was a very important chapter in the Bible. The reason I consider it so important is because it points to a truth that is of paramount importance to the human family – the coming of the Messiah to bring salvation, not only to the people of Israel, but to all people. How do I know this? Because the Bible tells me so!
In the preceding chapter from verse 20 until the end of the chapter, we find what seems to be a grand world revival:
” ‘ “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, and seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also. Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.’ “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you” ’ ” (8: 20-23).
Chapter 9 begins (1-8), with a narration of how the people of Israel would be defended against their enemies. Then in the very center of the chapter, verses 9 and 10, Messiah’s coming is proclaimed. And we know that Jesus, the Messiah, did not come to save only the people of Israel, but, “Peoples” of “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Revelation 14: 6c). Therefore, this chapter has “Good News” for all of us!
Jesus said of Himself, “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” (Luke 4: 18, 19). Emphasis provided. He came to make us “prisoners of hope.”
In the text we studied yesterday, speaking through the prophet, the LORD declared: “I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.” He sets us free from the barren land of our captivity, whatever it may be (a relationship in which you are not allowed to grow; a habit that has made a prisoner out of you; an addiction against which you feel powerless). Then He bids you, “Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope.”
Where is your stronghold? Where is the place you first learned to dream, to hope, to aspire? Where is the place you first met Jesus, and learned that “[you could] do all things through Christ who strengthens [you]” (Philippians 4: 13)? Where is that place where you discovered that Jesus was greater than all your problems? It is to that place Jesus bids you, return! Jesus was telling physical Israel that they were going back to Jerusalem, their stronghold. Spiritual Israel knows that their stronghold is anywhere Jesus leads them in their spiritual journey, until, at last, by His grace, they enter the earth made new, their eternal rest.
Unlike other prisoners, we are not hopeless, but hopeful. He calls us out of captivity, into fulfillment – and life eternal; for He has promised to “restore double!”