Nougat 18

Which of God’s promises are you holding on to? I have a few in mind, but promises of peace – they have a special place in my heart these days. Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings.” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT

Talk about drought in the land – spiritual and physical! It seems like only dissent and poverty were in vogue; probably a bit of violence thrown in to exacerbate things. In such situations and spaces, it’s hard to see the good; even harder to find a glimmer of hope.

Then came the Word of the Lord through Zechariah the prophet. I am sure there was the temptation to cry, ’prophesy or prophe-lie!’ For false prophets were often found dishing promises of god-derived prosperity.

All false!

Except Zechariah had established himself as a servant of YHWH, and wasn’t open to compromising his faith. He spoke of ages to come; an end to war … when peace and prosperity paved the path to Godly shalom: peace of body, mind and spirit. The kind that is so necessary in our world today.

Ironically, we know (of) places where the challenge to peace is the proliferation of land mines. These are bombs and booby traps planted by ‘enemies’ in places where opposition citizens are likely to travel. The result: dismembered people, mutilated bodies, minds and spirits, trauma of no mean order, and barren, unsafe land. For everyone. Many have not been found!

A Word such as this one from Zechariah might seem too good to be true; yet it is a word of hope for all. We have not been forgotten. YHWH remembers us. And it is YHWH Who’s planting the seeds of peace. Words to live for; even as we offer our gifts, talents and skills to transform the world around us. Knowing that these are God’s Words, makes us even more hopeful.

Lord, in Your mercy and in our time – may these seeds bear fruit.

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May all we seek be found in Christ