Prisoners of Hope

Prisoners of hope are believers in Jesus who recognize a limitation in their circumstances, but refuse to be limited in their expectations and actions. 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. You should be glad that many of your forefathers and parents who were socially imprisoned by segregation and other bad policies didn’t believe that. Before the year 1900, black and white people who believed in education for blacks Zech 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. Zechariah prophesied doom for the cities of Hamath, Tyre and Sidon, but hope for the people of God who dwelled in or near those cities. Abraham was a prisoner of hope who became the “father of faith” to us all. We learned about him last week in Romans 5. Look at how God inspired hope and faith in him. He’ll do the same for you. Hebrews 6:13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 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. Prisoners 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.