“Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” – Psalm 33.22
During lockdown, I try to start each day with a short walk to get some exercise and have some quiet time. As I walk, I like to listen to an app called Lectio 365 – a mix of prayer and reflection. On Wednesday morning, the theme was ‘Hope.’
When we look back over the story of God’s people throughout history, there are many times when the community felt crushed by opposition and adversity. And always, into this difficulty, God speaks a message of life and hope. The prophet Zechariah was the voice of hope to a struggling Israelite community, looking to rebuild their nation after returning from exile. God’s message through Zechariah might well be relevant for us today as we seek to navigate our way through this time of pandemic.
Because of my blood covenant with you,
I’ll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells.
Come home, hope-filled prisoners!
This very day I’m declaring a double bonus –
Everything you lost returned twice-over! (Zech 9.11-12 MSG)
God’s invitation to us is always the same – “Come home, hope-filled prisoners!” Come to the source of life. Come to Jesus, our hope.
When all around us is uncertainty and anxiety, it is God alone who remains our steadfast rock and our source of hope.
-Brendon