Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr (Optional Memorial)
I will return to Zion, and I will dwell within Jerusalem. (Zechariah 8:3)
Does it ever feel as if all hope has left you? Maybe you have a relationship that just doesn’t seem to get any better. Or maybe the violence and chaos on the news get you down. It might even be something inside yourself, a weakness or problem that you can’t seem to get a handle on. Whatever it is, when it comes up, you find it hard to imagine that anything will change.
The Jews returning to Jerusalem probably felt hopeless as well. Their people had been shipped away from the land God had given them, and their Temple had been destroyed. Now, forty years later, they were returning to a pile of rubble and political uncertainty. How could they possibly rebuild their lives? Yet here was Zechariah, bringing a message of hope from the Lord: he will restore Jerusalem, and all the people will live in peace! Zechariah’s words energized the people, and they banded together to rebuild their city and the Temple.
Wonderfully, these promises are so large in scope that they stretch into our own era as well. God promises to rescue us, to dwell among us, and to bring his peace into our midst. As we try to take this in, we can be tempted to think about the problems we would like to see solved. But if there’s one thing we should know, it’s that we don’t know exactly how God is going to make all things right. But we do know that he will do it. And so we place our hope in him, trusting in his kindness and love.
Before the time of Zechariah, God instructed the prophet Jeremiah to buy a piece of land as a physical sign of hope for the future. If you’re struggling with hope today, consider doing something similar. Maybe buy a small house plant, or plant a sapling outside. As you care for this plant and watch it grow, keep reminding yourself to place your trust and hope in the Lord. Keep telling yourself that God is faithful to his promises. And keep telling the Lord that you will follow him wherever he leads. Because he is the one true source of your hope and peace.
“Lord, I put my hope in you. Bring your kingdom!” Amen!
Luke 9:46 An argument arose among the talmidim as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Yeshua, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, took a child, stood him beside himself, 48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me. In other words, the one who is least among you all — this is the one who is great.” 49 Yochanan responded, “Rabbi, we saw someone expelling demons in your name; and we stopped him because he doesn’t follow you along with us.” 50 Yeshua said to him, “Don’t stop such people, because whoever isn’t against you is for you.”
Psalm 102:16 (15) The nations will fear the name of Adonai
and all the kings on earth your glory,
17 (16) when Adonai has rebuilt Tziyon,
and shows himself in his glory,
18 (17) when he has heeded the plea of the poor
and not despised their prayer.
19 (18) May this be put on record for a future generation;
may a people yet to be created praise Adonai.
20 (19) For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary;
from heaven Adonai surveys the earth
21 (20) to listen to the sighing of the prisoner,
to set free those who are sentenced to death,29 (28) The children of your servants will live securely
and their descendants be established in your presence.”22 (21) to proclaim the name of Adonai in Tziyon
and his praise in Yerushalayim
23 (22) when peoples and kingdoms have been gathered together
to serve Adonai.
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