Have you faced times of discouragement recently? Perhaps you’ve felt that God has lost sight of you. Or maybe you’ve been frustrated that those who aren’t following Christ seem to have an easier time. Whatever the reason, God has a word of comfort for you.

But first, let me express my gratitude for your partnership with God Centered Life. Your gifts and prayers ensure that others have the opportunity to meet Christ and grow in their passion for God’s Word. Thank you for standing with us in this effort.

In our series this month, “The Prophet of Hope,” we are considering the Old Testament book of Zechariah. The Israelites have returned from exile in Babylon, but they are disheartened about all that must be done to restore the Temple and Jerusalem. They seem to be on the verge of returning to their old habits and abandoning God.

The Lord responds by sending his prophet Zechariah to remind them that there is hope beyond their current situation—and hope of another Promised Land far in the future. God has been faithful in the past, so they can have true hope for the future that centers on Jesus Christ. Through Zechariah, the Lord urges them:

Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. Zechariah 9:12, ESV

Like the Israelites, you may feel like a prisoner to the cares of this world. You may feel that your life is not making any real difference. But we need to hold fast to God’s promises and live in the light of the future hope of the Messiah’s return. When we carry on in faithfulness and integrity in every corner of life, we will see the impact over time, and we will one day reap the reward.

To hear more about God’s commitment to us through the hard times, I hope you’ll tune in for the rest of this series from Zechariah, either online or on the radio. I hope you will also consider a donation to support this vital ministry.

In appreciation for your gift of any amount this month, I’d like to send you Follow Me by David Platt. Many people think they are Christians yet are not followers of Christ. The call to follow Jesus is not simply an invitation to pray a prayer; it’s a summons to lose your life―and to find new life in Him.

Rejoicing in hope,

Josh Moody
President and Founder
God Centered Life Ministries