In the Wringer as A Prisoner of Hope
Ever been in the wringer of God’s process?
Yet, through the pain and aches, your heart beats with the burning desire for God’s dreams sprouting up inside. Even if the darkness deepens, He abides so near that His breath invigorates you to run the race with joy and quiet solemnity.
“Yes,” you respond in a whisper. “I can abide by these circumstances, for I am a prisoner of hope and not of these circumstances.” (Zechariah 9:12).
Only a prisoner of hope understands how a quiet disposition, like the Mighty Saviour on the cross, breaks open the Heavens for the double reward.
The Holy Spirit reminds you that it is not necessary to respond, only to forgive and allow each stroke of the Father’s pen to be fulfilled as He would have it.
Discerning Right from Wrong
While in the wringer, it is important to remember that it is not only a matter of purity of heart but also discerning right and wrong.
God allows extenuating circumstances to test your patience, resolve, and determination to walk in His ways despite what human nature demands.
Would you be willing to act according to His nature or take matters into your own hands?
Can you listen, trust and obey?
As His prisoner, He asks that you walk in “tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrating gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience.” (Ephesians 4:2, TPT).
Particularly, the Father desires to constantly remind us to “graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.” (Ephesians 4:32, TPT).
During the crushing moments of life, we learn not to take the Holy Spirit’s influence over our lives for granted or with contempt. It is when we put off the old man to take up the new and allow Jesus to literally have His way with us.
And while you may cry hot tears of anguish, He rejoices with His song of deliverance over you because He is the Mighty Warrior who saves (Zephaniah 3:17).
At times, that also means saving us from ourselves.
Tried and True
To be found true, we must first be tried.
The wringer, the point at which the pressure increases beyond comprehension, is to test the genuineness of our faith. Gold which seems lasting, still perishes (even though it is tested in the fire). But what the Lord is doing in His children is producing a faith that glorifies His Son when He is revealed (1 Peter 1:7).
He instills faith with a fiery yet quiet determination to see His Kingdom come; His Will be done.
Whatever the cost.
At times it may feel like there is no end in sight, but our Father is not the God of despair but Hope.
He is the God who says, “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.” (Zechariah 9:12, ASV).
The tides have turned in your favour when you decide to go the distance with Jesus. And if you choose to latch on to the Savior and never let go, He’ll say to you:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. I put you through the wringer, and you came out dancing!”