Prisoners of Hope

 

Zechariah 9: 2

Doom is certain for Hamath, near Damascus, and for the cities of Tyre and Sidon, though they are so clever. 11 “ As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant,  I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.  12 Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you. 

Everyone is a prisoner, So you may as well be a Prisoner of Hope.

In a world were many are defined by hopelessness, we are people defined by our hope.

Prisoners of hope never stop seeing the best. Prisoners of hope cannot be bound by prisons of this world or captive circumstances created by people.

Acts 16:24-26 

Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Prisoners of hope are believers in Jesus who recognize the limitation in their circumstances, but refuse to be limited in their expectations and actions. We have faith in a God who can do anything.

Too many people look at their circumstances and make the decision that they can do no more, or become no more than what they see. Like Jeremiah, those persons have to learn to “See well.”

Hebrews 6:19 

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus is our “forerunner,” going first where He expects us to follow.

Hebrews 6:19 
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

People of hope...

• Focus on the promises of God more than focusing on the conditions and circumstances around us
• Understand that the world is full of darkness, but know that they are full of light
• Keep their love warm even in a cold world
• Are not distracted from serving God by the pressures and activities of this world
• Have high expectations of good things to come
• Follow the example of our father of faith, Abraham, who hoped against hope and fulfilled God’s purpose in his life. Like Paul and Silas
• Have hope as a refuge and anchor for our souls. We are steady and steadfast in all conditions because Jesus has already entered the presence of God for us.