11-13-06 Zechariah 9:12

Zechariah 9:12 (KJ21)
Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee,

Zechariah 9:12 (NAS)
Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope; This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.

Zechariah 9:12 (NIVUS)
Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

Zechariah 9:12 (NLT)
Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners, for there is yet hope! I promise this very day that I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes!

When a horse is harnessed to a wagon or carriage, it does not have freedom to run like it does in a pasture. It is held in place by leather straps and the wooden tongue of the wagon that protrudes from the front axle. The driver controls the horse with the reins, so that it cannot choose its own way. The horse is bound to the wagon until someone sets it free.

You were like that horse in that you were bound by the accuser of the brethren in sin and darkness. You were a prisoner, tied to the enemy's will. You, however, wanted to be set free and return to Adonai, your true Creator and Lord. You were ready to repent and surrender the reins of your life to Yeshua. He, therefore, released your bonds and brought you into His stronghold, a fortress inaccessible to the enemy's forces. There you were repaired, restored, and refreshed.

You now have hope and an expectation of good. As you wait on the Lord, you know that your outcome will be as you desired. You are no longer bound by cords of deceit, but you are joined together with Adonai. He desires to restore everything that was stolen from you; in fact, He will double His blessings in your life. As you continue to look to God, He will repeatedly bring double back to you. And you will be free to run in the pasture again.