Christ a Stronghold
S. Lavington. Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, you prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double to you; I. IN WHAT SENSE, OR ON WHAT ACCOUNT, ARE MANKIND REPRESENTED AS PRISONERS? The prison is of a spiritual description. It is not so much a place as a state of confinement. All men, by nature, are under the curse of God, and the power of sin and Satan. The law, the justice, the truth, the power of God; these are the walls and bolts and bars that confine you. The evil dispositions and passions of men answer all the purposes of chains and bolts, to disable their souls from rising towards heaven, or moving a step in the way of holiness. II. WHY ARE SOME CALLED PRISONERS OF HOPE, AND WHO ARE THEY THAT MAY BE SO CALLED? It implies that there are some without hope. The devil and his angels are such. Such also are all those among men who have died without repentance and pardon; and they are a multitude, we fear, greater than any man can number. Who are prisoners of hope? 1. All who are alive upon the earth. 2. Those who possess the means of grace are more particularly to be considered as prisoners of hope. 3. Those who feel religious impressions. III. WHAT IS THIS STRONGHOLD? It is Christ. 1. He secures us from the wrath of God. 2. From the assaults of sin and Satan. 3. From worldly confusion and calamities. IV. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN TURNING TO THIS STRONGHOLD? 1. You must be thoroughly convinced of Christ's ability to defend you. 2. You must forsake all other refuges. 3. In order to obtain safety in Christ there must be an actual acceptance of Him, and a steady reliance upon Him for protection. V. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT CHRIST IS SUCH A STRONGHOLD? 1. Consider His Divine perfections. 2. His Divine appointment.Have you turned to this stronghold? Some have. Some are still secure in Satan's confinement. Some feel the fetters begin to gall them, and they are sighing for liberty. Be often looking back to your former imprisonment. Adore the grace that provided such a stronghold. And beware of dishonoring this stronghold. This is done when men think it a confinement, and are uneasy under its restraints. (S. Lavington.) Parallel Verses KJV: Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; WEB: Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.