Prisoners of Hope
By Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
Zechariah 9:12
In the wake of the multiple losses, a crisis can bring—jobs and businesses lost, loved ones removed by distance or death, long-anticipated joys like graduations and final celebrations erased from the calendar, it can feel agonizing to hope. It is tempting to think we are prisoners trapped in a dungeon of despair. And yet, into our dungeons of despair, our Redeemer has come, to draw us out, to make us prisoners of hope.
Zechariah, a prophet to the Israelites during their return from captivity, speaks hope during the uncertain season of rebuilding the temple. He foretells a day when prisoners will be set free “from the waterless pit” (Zechariah 9:11). Charles Spurgeon describes the waterless pits of the Ancient Near East, which were dug to hold prisoners: “The sides were usually steep and perpendicular—and the prisoner who was dropped down into such a pit must remain there without any hope of escape.”[2] Maybe you’ve felt like a prisoner in such a pit, stuck in a dark dungeon of despair, overwhelmed by your sins, or overwhelmed by your circumstances. It is…
A dark pit, where light cannot penetrate.
A waterless pit, where no river of life can flow.
A walled well of a pit, where no handholds exist to help you climb out.
A lonely pit, where none can reach you, and you cannot reach others.
A crowded pit, where accusing demons clamor at you, shouting out your shame.
Into this black pit of despair, Christ entered to captivate us by his love and make us prisoners of his hope.
As Pastor Scotty Smith explains, Jesus is “The Prince of Hope” who brings the “Promise of Hope” who paid the “Price of Hope” so we might become “Prisoners of Hope.”[3] Zechariah asserts the “promise of hope” as the reason for rejoicing greatly and shouting loudly: “Behold, your king is coming to you…” (Zechariah 9:9). Our Prince of Hope came riding, not on a massive white horse befitting a king, but on a young donkey, a humble ride for a humble ruler. Our Prince of Hope has won our peace, our peace with God, and our peace with one another. His rule of peace and hope extends into the deepest pit and beyond the farthest sea. By paying the “price of hope,” his own blood, he sealed our hope of forgiveness of sins, our assurance of God’s covenantal love. Our Prince of Hope has restored to us the inheritance of the firstborn: the inheritance of his riches.
Because of our Prince of Hope, we have become Prisoners of Hope. Shout aloud in a voice of triumph! Be glad, be glad, be glad! You are no longer a prisoner in the pit of despair. You are a prisoner of hope, a hope that is secure, a hope that will not disappoint.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Thank You for descending into our pit of despair and bringing us out as Your prisoners of hope. Help us keep looking to Your rescue and redemption for hope in our current struggles and losses. Amen.
[2] Charles Spurgeon, “Prisoners of Hope,” at Spurgeon Gems, http://www.spurgeongems.org/sermon/chs2839.pdf.
[3] Scotty Smith, “Living as Prisoners of Hope,” Sermon, First Presbyterian Church, Ocean Springs, MS, April 19, 2019, at http://www.fpcosms.com/sermons/living-as-prisoners-of-hope/.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.