Prisoners of Hope Chuck Smith https://calvarychapel.com/pastorchuck/twft

Prisoners of Hope July 1, 2019 Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. — Zechariah 9:12   In the previous verse, Zechariah addressed those who were imprisoned in a pit with no water. But now he addresses those who are imprisoned by hope. For the believer, we are clutched, or “imprisoned,” by the hope of the com- ing of the Messiah. We can’t escape it. We don’t want to escape it. It is what we long for, what we wait for. We know that when Jesus comes again, humanity’s sufferings will finally end. Wars will end. Heartache will cease. He will rule and reign in peace and righteousness. And He will free us from that pit in which we may find ourselves today. Oh, how necessary hope is! How we need it to sustain us. In a world that is falling apart, a world in which men’s hearts fail them for fear, how wonderful it is to have that hope in Jesus Christ. The Lord promises those who are the prisoners of hope that He will restore double to them. He tells in the latter portion of the chapter how He will subdue their enemies, how He will glorify His people, and how He will make them like gemstones in a crown, “lifted like a banner over His land” (Zechariah 9:16). Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Father, our eyes and our hope are set on You. We long for Your return; we wait with anticipation for the day when You come to establish Your kingdom. IN JESUS’ NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.   Living Water In Pastor Chuck's book Living Water, he explains how God has the power to change lives through His Holy Spirit. Click Here to Order