God promises that a time of restoration is coming our way.
In a previous post, I alluded to the fact that the Bible is largely a collection of Love Letters from God.
Truthfully, the Bible has a collection of Encouraging Words and Stories of Victory written by different people thousands of years ago as inspired by God.
Cell Groups
At my church, New Wine Church, we have smaller groups, called Cell Groups, that frequently meet to study the Bible and pray together.
At our Cell Group meetings, people usually share their thoughts on selected topics and happenings, as well as the pains and gains of everyday living.
The great thing about a Cell Group – Smaller Church Group or Bible Study Group if you like – is that you can freely share and acquire wisdom and also get your questions answered, within a smaller group of people you can trust. There are also usually no restrictions on who can speak and when.
An Amazing Love Letter
Anyhow, back to today’s post and Love Letters.
As well as reading through the New Testament again in the first half of this year, we are currently studying the “eye-opening” book of Zechariah at my church – again. Yes! We need to pay attention to God’s words recorded in the Bible.
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Proverbs 4:20 NLT
Recently at my remote Cell Group meeting, whilst studying the Book of Zechariah 8 together, we got a reminder of God’s outrageous love for us.
In Zechariah 8 verse 1, God confirms that “My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!”
I am not kidding when I say that I think the Bible is a collection of love letters from God.
The words of Zechariah 8 are so encouraging that I am convinced that it was specially written for this season and the current challenges the world is experiencing.
I was honestly blown away by the words in this Bible passage (as well as some other passages in the book of Zechariah – well, the parts I managed to understand, that is).
However, the bit that excited me the most was Zechariah 8 verses 4 and 5.
Restoration for the Old
In verse 4 (NLT) the Bible records:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares.”
Isn’t that just amazing?! Talk about a word due season!
We all know that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people, especially the elderly who are the age group most vulnerable and susceptible to developing complications as a result of contracting COVID-19, were advised to stay indoors.
Isn’t it just mind-blowing to know that many hundreds of years ago, God inspired a prophet called Zechariah to write that “old men and women will walk the streets again and sit together in the city squares”?! I like how the Message translation puts it:
“Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes – a good city to grow old in”
Verse 4 of Zechariah 8 really comforted and reassured me.
Not only will our streets be safe again for the elderly to walk on, but they will be able to interact with other people without fear, to reminisce, and share their love and wisdom.
Restoration for the Young
However, the encouraging and comforting words in Zechariah 8 don’t end there.
Another promise from God is recorded in verse 5. The Message translation reads:
“And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing – a good city to grow up in.”
Does this not remind you of this season we are currently experiencing? Does it not remind you that currently our children can not freely play on the streets and in the parks?
God sent a promise, thousands of years ago, that this will all change and things will be back to normal.
Our children will be able to play with their friends again – in public spaces and without fear.
Total Restoration
It gets even better:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west. 8 I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God. Zechariah 8: 7 -8 NLT
God will rescue us from our current challenges and the threat to our existence – because He is faithful and just.
…They’ll be my people and I’ll be their God. I’ll stick with them and do right by them.” Zechariah 8:8b NLT
God has promised to stick with us and do right by us.
He will ensure that our children have good places to grow up in, and that our elderly have good places to grow old in.
He also promises restoration in our health, vocations, businesses, careers, finances, families, communities and nations.
Then the Lord became passionate about this land, and had pity on his people. Joel 2:18 CEB
And the greatest thing is God never lies!
God is not like people, who lie;
He is not a human who changes his mind.
Whatever he promises, he does;
He speaks, and it is done. Numbers 23: 19 GNT
Welcome to your season of restoration!
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