12“Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.” Zechariah 9:12 (NIV)
What an unusual thought- I am a prisoner of hope. If you look at me, you will see no chains to hold me in one place, nor will you see iron bars surrounding me, for I am free to move about in my daily tasks. I am in no alternate world. I live and breathe here on planet Earth. And yet, my fortress is strong and secure for my hope is not based on anything or anyone that changes. No, my hope is anchored in God, my Father, theEternal One. This fortress is strong and secure. The winds of change and the sands of time try to erode the fortress that surrounds me, but because my hope is in God, the walls remain strong and secure. Though quakes often shake the foundation walls, they remain intact for nothing shakes my Savior- the Master Builder who constructed the foundation of my fortress. When I first became a follower of Christ, I learned some hope-strengthening hymns. Since God gave me an ear for music, I am grateful that in times of stress hymns ebb and flow through my mind. I have included the lyrics to the hymn written by Edward Mote in the 1800’s: “My Hope is Built”.
- “My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)
4. When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne!
(Refrain)”
You may listen to this hymn at The music group 4Him is singing the hymn for you. I hope that when you need shelter, you will turn to God your fortress.