Prisoner of Hope -- What and How

What is a prisoner of hope?

"Turn you to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will restore double unto you." (Zechariah 9:12)

Hope, what is that?

תִּקְוָה tiqvah, literally means "cord", something which ties us to something else, an expectation, a hope, a thing longed for, which we can expect to come to pass.

A bold assertion? An overinterpretation. Hardly!

"Wait on the LORD and keep his way and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off thou shalt see." (Psalm 37:34)

Wait --
קָוָה qavah, which is the verb root for תִּקְוָה tiqvah.

We do not just sit passively, pitiful waiting in vain. We wait, with positive, joyous expectation that what we have faith for will indeed come to pass.

How do we keep His way? We do not! He keeps us!:

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:2)

And of course. . .

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)

We believe on Him, He brings things to pass through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How exactly do we believe on Him? What "should" we be "thinking" about?

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:5)

How do we read "captivity" here?

captivity: αἰχμαλωτίζω -- to take captive, subdue, ensnare, hold at spear point!

Our thoughts are brought into captivity to the "obedience of Christ".

What is the "obedience of Christ"? Why, his death on the Cross, by which we have hope [which "maketh not ashamed" (Romans 5:5)]:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3)

Now, do we take these thoughts captive? No, by the weapons of our warfare, of which is the sword of the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12)

So, as we meditate on the Word of God, which reveals us more and more the grace of God working in us through Christ's death and resurrection on the cross, we live in hope, the positive expectation of good in our lives, with full assurance that none and nothing can separate us our bring us down.

Today, in the name of Jesus Christ, be a prisoner of hope, abiding in His Finished work for you, letting every other be held captive to His sacrifice on the Cross for us.