We see evil all around us. We see it if we look within us. Evil is pervasive. But it does have a divine expiration date. Zechariah learns in his final three visions that God will take care of evil. He will banish it, cover it, prevent it from taking over the earth. He is in control. This is encouraging news to Zechariah and should be for us.

Zechariah opens his book with an invitation: Return to God. His summons home depicts God as merciful, compassionate, and longsuffering. The portrait frames the remainder of the book, full of visions and oracles. From the outset, Zechariah sees God on the move. His protection is real: he patrols the earth. His promises will prevail: he will rebuild Jerusalem. Thus, God's reliability and activity should inspire his people to get unstuck and make a move.

In the Information Age, we do not have to look far to see people failing. Politicians lie. Athletes cheat. Actors abuse. CEOs intimidate. And it's not just THOSE leaders in the world who are guilty. Abuse, scandal, and deception dwell within the church. Every month another spiritual leader falls from grace. We can wag our fingers, shake our heads, and join the chorus of critics. Or we can look inward at our own wayward hearts. We too walk a perilous path. We must check it for pitfalls.

We can hope for a raise, traffic-free commute to work, or clear bill of health. These hopes are not based upon biblical promises but wishful thinking. According to Hebrews, hope is rooted in the promises of God and anchored in Jesus. God's faithfulness in the past guarantees his faithfulness in the future. He promises forgiveness, justice, His presence, and coming kingdom. Placing our hope in the wrong things leads to disappointment and despair. We must place our hope in Christ; he will not let us down.

Echo chambers tell you what you want to hear (want to hear, want to hear). They reinforce your political leanings, personal convictions, and core beliefs without encouraging critical reflection. The church is not an echo chamber. It is a faith incubator. It gathers people to form them into Christlikeness. Jesus is our focus, model, and great high priest. The author of Hebrews expounds on this theme, calling his readers to a life of faith, love, and hope. Today we talk about faith formation.