“Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord, the holy mountain… Behold, I will save my people.., and bring them to dwell in Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.
“Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the prophets who were present on the day the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, that the temple might be built… For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground its produce, and the heavens their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. As you have been a byword of cursing,.. so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong…
“I purposed in these days to bring good..; fear not. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord…’
“The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” Zechariah 8:3,7-9,12-13,15-17,21-23
The prophet’s message of hope for the returned Jewish exiles pointed to both the immanent and distant. The covenant promise was for God’s present abiding and a coming Messiah. As they awaited a glorious future, they were to sow peace and particularly, peculiarly bless the world.
There is much churn and stress in the scuttle and scope of days. Discouragement and fatigue can mar even the cheeriest of dispositions. But the promises in God’s word are ours to embrace and express in hopeful, joyful living. In the meantime of anticipating our returning King, there is peace and light to be sown in our dark world. (Philippians 2:14-15)
In these days, what goads or inspires? Are we moved more by hate and conflict than we are by love and hope? Where can and will we sow peace and joy? How and where will we speak life-giving truth in love? All the Prince of Peace commands, He enables. (Ephesians 4:15)
“Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.” ~Charles Wesley (1744)
Lord, may I faithfully sow Your peace and love so others see You and anticipate Your coming.
As the rain and snow 