Greetings to you in the beautiful, powerful, and wonderful name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a beautiful morning in the Kingdom after the storm that blew through last evening. Of course, you know that I am going to say it…”This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! I trust that you had a blessed weekend and Monday – that God surprised you in ways that you never expected, in ways that were simple and yet profound, in ways that brought peace to your being, and in ways that made you grateful! Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to release His healing presence to you and to do miraculous things around you and to manifest His peace to you.
This morning in my devotional time I was drawn to a verse of Scripture that encouraged some deep pondering and then a time of surrender. The verse says…Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you” (Zechariah 9:12 NKJV). Consider with me…return to the security of the stronghold of hope and be aware of the declaration – “I will restore double to you” – “I will restore double to you” – “I will restore double to you” – “I will restore double to you.” What an intriguing and powerful verse to meditate on. It is particularly meaningful to me in these days when we are trying to find our “normal” again.
Of course, the declaration is personal as well as collective – and rightfully so, for the power of the collective you is enhanced by the power of the individual you. Then there is the “I will” …not might or maybe or will think about or it depends but a very affirmative “I will.” I have learned that when God says “I will”…He will! Now what about the “restore” part…restore – return to previous condition, to make like it was, mend, repair, reestablish, to bring back to health, to return to normal.
We really like the “double” part but usually we are thinking of possessions or relationships or places of belonging. I think there is more to it than that. I wonder if the meaning has to do with our character, our faith, our courage, our spiritual power, our Christ-likeness. I am thinking of an old song of the church…you knew I had to get a song in here somewhere…Once I thought I walked with Jesus-Yet such changeful feelings had-Sometimes trusting sometimes doubting-Sometimes joyful sometimes sad…O the peace my Saviour gives-Peace I never knew before-And my way has brighter grown-Since I learned to trust Him more.
I think we were coasting along in our faith, both as individuals and as churches….and then everything was turned upside-down. It has been very uncomfortable. If what this verse says is true, rather than try and figure things out for ourselves or try to do it on our own or to give up in frustration…we need to return to the security of our hope. We need to be prisoners of hope. We need to be captivated by hope. He will meet us personally and collectively. He will restore…and He will restore us with more than we had before!
Something to think about – have a blessed day!