What if peace looked like streets full of laughter, elders swapping stories on corners, and neighbors who speak truth with kindness? We turn to Zechariah 8 and find a vision of God’s jealous love. Today we might say zealous love, a love that's not petty but restorative.

We walk through three movements in the text. First, God promises to dwell with His people so their city becomes a place of truth and holiness. Then comes the reassurance that fear gives way to fruitfulness: seed, vine, and soil flourish as a byproduct of God’s good will. Finally, the call tightens into daily practice; tell the truth to your neighbor, make just decisions that bind truth to peace, refuse harm in your heart, and reject false oaths. It’s a blueprint for public discipleship that reshapes speech, actions, and the secret motives that drive both.

Along the way, we hold this promise up to our pandemic memories and admit why it hits so hard. When streets go silent, the Bible’s vision of a lively, safe city becomes more than poetry; it becomes a prayer. We also spotlight the quiet genius of mothers who love without speeches; quietly feeding, protecting, and defending as a way of life. Strong hands serve. Peace isn’t passive. Peace is something we build with God by practicing integrity, resisting gossip, and meeting people’s real needs.

If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier and act a little braver, share it with a friend who needs steady hope.

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Zechariah 8:1 - 8 and 11 - 17 - King James Version

1 Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying,

2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.

3 Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain.

4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.

5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

6 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts.

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;

8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts.

12 For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

14 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts, and I repented not:

15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

17 And

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