29/08/13

Have faith, today God will render double unto you

Zechariah 9:12 - Turn [return] you to the strong hold [fence], ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

The scripture preceding today's message talks of God by the righteousness (blood) of the Covenant made between Him and us draws us out of the prison (pit) that has no mercy (water).

Christ as Son of God and Son of Man by His death and resurrection became the hope for all mankind, anyone who hopes in Him is saved from the prison Hell which is the only place void of the mercy of God. Even the fallen angels / evil spirit receive God's mercy when on earth (this natural creation); in Hell they know they will not receive any mercy, thus fear.

In today's message God does not stop there, He challenges us to receive double of the things we have received of Him, but to receive this we need to come into His strong hold. The Hebrew word translated as strong hold means a fenced enclosure that is symbolizes His wings of grace.

I have many a times seen people think grace is very easy and a solution to all problems and situations. They do not realize they need grace in every area of their lives. By our faith in Jesus Christ we by default receive the grace to be saved from Hell. But grace in other areas of our lives needs to be received. Grace cannot be earned but yet it is not free nor can be taken for granted. Grace need to be got and it can only be got through faith.

Faith as we know is believing in the Word of God or in God, which are the only constants that do not change. Believing in anything else is either called hope, or trust but not faith.

Faith as a gift from God can come for a mission or a period of time but faith as a fruit that remains needs to be developed, and this happens through efforts and experiences. Thus grace is not easy as people think.

Paul had abundant grace on his life, even to live a life of a bachelor overcoming lust and dedicating his whole attention only to his mission in the Lord. But Paul struggled for grace to overcome the thorn in his life and God said at 3 occasions that the grace he had received was sufficient for him. It was only through experiences we see in his last letters he overcame.

The Lord is telling us indirectly to trust in Him and increase our faith in Him and thus we will be in His strong hold and thus receive double in our lives.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we know when we trust in You we are never disappointed for You never fail. Lord, we need to trust in You in every area of our lives. There are many areas we lack because do not trust You in those areas. Today, Lord You have said we will receive double in those areas if we trust in You in those area so Lord, we pray that we build our faith in those areas and receive from You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
Zechariah 9:11-12
11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

Romans 4:16 - Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 5:2 - By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Psalms 85:10 - Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)