As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you, I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope; this very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you . . . And I will make you like a warrior’s sword. Then the Lord will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. Zechariah 9: 11, 12 NASB

Tyre was a city Island. She’d built a fortress around herself and thought she was invincible. Separated from the mainland, she’d learned to be self-sufficient, defensive, wealthy, and wise. She’d built walls over 150 feet high in some places. God had blessed her with good, but her gold piled up as dust and silver as mire in the streets. Riches to rubble—she was stuck and frittered her days away; and so, she was caught off guard. The enemy climbed over her dump. 
     Zechariah prophesied against the nations. God would contend with His malicious enemies. He camped around His people and was their tent peg. Tools and treasures hung from the center. He was a strong defense. Vigilant and ready. The plans and pride of the Philistines were cut off. They wouldn’t oppress His people again.
     Behold! Our King came humble, mounted on a donkey. Justice and salvation gifted by Him. He was crucified for sinners, prisoners of the waterless pit. Bondage. Despair and desperation. Hopelessness. He will return. The bow of war will be broken and peace will be had. 
     God calls us to return to the stronghold. Return and I will restore double to you. In Hebrew, the word used for return and restore is one and the same. Return: 

Come home. Transition. Recall. Recover. Refresh. Retrieve. Withdraw. Take back! Begin again, but not necessarily at the start. Call to mind, break, build, circumcise, retreat, dig, lodge, lie down, eat, feed, make, send, remember, rejoice, carry back, cease, consider, deliver, deny, drawback, fetch, gather, give, pull in, come again, rescue, reverse, set again, slide back, turn back. . . go home! 

There is much “returning and restoring” that takes place in our healing journey. God sees our struggles, and He believes in us. He isn’t put off by our rubble, the sin, failures, complacency, pride, hurt, anger, and weaknesses. Return and He will restore double to you. Mighty in His ways, He will make you like a warrior’s sword. Your mouth will be like a powerful tool for His glory. And He will defend you! 
     Don’t waste your story, or hoard your “silver and gold!” 
     God told His people to seek His favor and ask for rain. Blessings! He is with us and for us. We can hang our hope on His steadfast love. He whistles, gathers, and redeems. Beauty blooms. Transformation takes place. Our homes are rebuilt, and our families are supported and protected. And so, I’d written down a simple prayer as I finished this devotion, “Lord, let it rain!” 
     Later that morning, as I circled our pond with my grandsons, the oldest eye-balled the dark clouds that threatened and declared with innocence, “Mima, when it rains, it’s gonna snow!” More than once, when I’d asked him what he wanted to do this summer, he’d replied with mischief, “Go sledding or build a snowman.” His wonder and eager expectation were a timely gift. Blessings set upon blessings. Winter was on the horizon, but there is joy! 

So, let it rain!

Lily Mae