Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Scripture

“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” Zechariah 9:12

Reflections

There are a lot of labels used for God’s people.  Zechariah uses the label, “prisoners of hope”.

Why would he use the label “prisoner”?  A prisoner is one who has had freedoms taken away.  A prisoner is a person who is miserable.  What’s good about that?  Honest Christians know that they are in bondage to sin.  There’s nothing good about that.  There’s no escaping it.

But something else has grabbed hold of us and will not let us go.  It is based upon the Lord God and his promises.  It is hope—a strong belief that situations will turn around.  It is grounded in the word of our Lord God.  Years after Zechariah, Christ Jesus fulfilled the prophecy.  Once in bondage to sin, we are now freed in Christ Jesus.  We experience sin, but because of Christ Jesus we needn’t fear eternal consequences from our sin.

Jesus comes to rescue us from the trials of this life.  He breaks the chains of sin and death and grants us hope.  No matter how bad things might be in the moment, our future is filled with life abundant.

Thus, if we were to claim to be a prisoner, being a prisoner of hope isn’t all that bad.  Jesus has come!  He is coming again!  It’s inescapable.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for granting me hope, even in life’s more difficult chapters.  Use me to speak your promises that free people from hopelessness.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Zechariah 9:9-12