The Rope of Hope

When the Apostle Paul writes to the Colossians, he expresses his gratitude for them because of their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all of God's people.  He writes, The faith and love that springs from the hope stored up for you in heaven..." (Colossians 1:5)  Isn't it great to be reminded that we have hope stored up for us in heaven?  How we need hope right now!
 
I feel compelled to share a wonderful testimony from Paul Wilbur, Messianic worship leader.  He shared his epiphany of hope at Glory of Zion's Shabbat Service at the beginning of the year.  During a difficult season in his life, he was inspired by a Scripture that has been one of my "war Scriptures."  In Zechariah, Chapter 9, Verses 11 and 12, the Lord encourages Israel:  "As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.  Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you."  What an exciting promise!
 
Let us look at how this Zechariah Scripture undergirded Paul Wilbur.  He and his pastor led 72 pastors to  Auschwitz during Purim at the end of February 2020.  The group sang and declared God's truth to reverse the curse in that part of Poland and in the crematorium where over a million were killed.  They returned to the United States just before the borders were closed because of the Covid breakout.  When Paul got home, he discovered that he had lost his voice.  The doctors told him that his vocal cords were burned and blistered.  The burning was so severe that he could barely talk.  March was the first of several months that Paul could not speak, and discouragement and doubt set in.
 
Paul Wilbur was inspired to research the words of Zechariah 9:11-12, especially the word hope.  We must look at all the phrases in these verses, starting with "because of the blood covenant with you."  The first time we see God make a blood covenant is in Genesis 15.  He instructs Abram to bring him a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and pigeon.  All were cut in half and arranged by halves opposite each other.  The Lord passed through those animals and told Abram what to expect in an unbreakable blood covenant.  He and his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan.  Through his blood, Jesus made a better covenant with us, one where we receive His promised eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15)
 
Because of the blood covenant, God promises to release us from the "waterless pit."  During Bible times, dry cisterns or pits were used as places of bondage or imprisonment.  Remember how Joseph was placed in one of these cisterns? (Genesis 37:22)  I imagine it would be easy to lose hope in one of these dry, hot places unless you trusted the Word of the Lord from Zechariah:  "Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope."  The song "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" tells us He is a "bulwark never failing."  Here is how the Psalmist sees it:  "He alone is my rock, and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." (Psalm 62:2)
 
If we follow God's lead, we will be rescued, and what was stolen from us will be returned two-fold.  As we trust in the Word of the Lord, His blood covenant and His faithfulness, our belief in God's promises will be rewarded.  Paul Wilbur was encouraged by the story of Rahab when the spies from Israel paid her a visit.  The spies promised to save her and her family from the pit on two conditions: (1) They could not leave the building.  (2) A scarlet rope had to be tied to the window.  Paul was reminded of a Scripture that comes from Ecclesiastes 4:12 that says, "A chord of three strands is not quickly broken."  Perhaps Rahab's rope had three strands.  Paul asked the Lord the significance of each strand.  Here is what he senses:  Strand 1 represents the Promise or blood covenant.  Strand 2 represents the patience that we must have while we wait for the promise.  Strand 3 represents the appointed time.  We must trust in the promise and remember that patience must have her appointed time.  Paul says, "Do not let the rope slip out of your hands!"
 
Wilbur's voice did return.  While he waited in his waterless pit, he wrote new songs as he played his guitar.  One that really touched my heart was inspired by 2 Chronicles 20 when it looked like all hope for the Israelites was gone.  But the Lord prevailed when the praisers went out ahead of the army.  Here are a few lines from the song:  "I will dance in the midst of the fire.  I will sing in the eye of the storm.  I will shout you are faithful forever.  The victory is mine 'cause the battle is yours."  Remember that we have hope stored up for us in heaven.  Make it yours, and do not let go!