THE GOD OF GREEN HOPE
29th Mar 2023
Eugene Peterson, the translator of The Message, first taught Greek and Hebrew in an academic setting. He was then called to pastor a congregation, who by and large knew nothing of the Bible, found it hard to understand, and he spent 30 years encouraging and teaching this group to read line by line its content. He also encouraged the people to read and pray, “God let it be just as You say.”
In The Message, with each book of the Bible, he has given an overview about who wrote it and why, the time setting and the broad purpose and theme of the book. Zechariah is written to bring hope to a post-exile disillusioned people who were oppressed by world powers, their identity as people of God was in ruins, and they were in danger of losing their uniqueness as God’s people, and forgetting what He had done for them in the past.
The Lord God sends a word to strengthen and comfort his weary people and give hope. Zechariah 1:16 says, “I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt.” Verse 17 continues, “My towns will again overflow with prosperity and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.”
It is good to remember what God has done in the past and take hope for the future. The Old Testament is full of wonderful incidents telling how our God acted to save and deliver His people.
So, it was with great joy that last Sunday our church worship group introduced new song encouraging us to do just that. Here are some of the words,
“I’m calling on the God of Jacob, I know You will keep your covenant.
I’m calling on the God of Moses, the One who opened up the ocean.
I need You to do the same for me.
Oh God, Oh God I need you, I need you now.
Calling on Mary’s God, who knew nothing was impossible.
Calling on David’s God, who made a shepherd boy courageous.
Calling on the Rock of Ages.
Jesus you’re the same yesterday, today and forever.
I’m calling on the Holy Spirit, Almighty River, come and fill me again.”
The song is “Same God” by Brandon Lake, Elevation Worship - you can find the full lyrics online.
Look back on biblical history and look forward to what God is about to do. He has given us exceeding great and precious promises regarding the future and we will see the glory of God in the land of the living.
Romans 15:13 in The Message says, “Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”
by Joyce Sibthorpe
