For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:24-25 (ESV)
HOPE….
not a pipe dream or a wish upon a star.
Hope carries the promise of an everlasting God.
“Hope springs eternal” in a believer’s heart.
What do you hope for?
When surrounding situations overtake a peaceful moment,
When feet sink deeply in mirky muddy water,
When worldly woes intensify with escalating fear,
Is there hope at all?
A casual hope for happiness,
A fleeting wish for bliss,
Offers temporary calm,
Soon dissipates with time.
Do you give up?
When trials liquidate a dream from long ago,
When disturbances destroy peace,
When evil seems to overcome the very good of God,
Does belief cease?
Hope is firm and steady
Hope is sure and certain
Hope is fixed and anchored
In the Sovereignty of God.
Hope is based on truth,
The truth of God our Father.
He made a promise long ago.
He keeps it for eternity.
He promised to abide with us, if we remain in Him.
Within the trials of the day, He draws closer than a friend.
He’s faithful to His eternal Word, His deeds are guaranteed.
He will do what He says He will do.
Do you believe Him?
When no answer comes,
When He says to wait on Him,
When unexpected situations occur,
Is trust thrown to the wind?
Hope refuses to focus on the past.
Hope doesn’t dwell in the present.
Hope leans forward into the future,
With expectant eyes.
Allow peace with patience to reign while waiting,
Like watchmen who sit upon city walls,
Anticipating morning’s light while darkness encloses.
Watchmen heed signs of disturbances, schemes of the enemy.
Watchmen guard exposed areas where angst invades.
Watchmen believe, without doubting, morning comes,
So they wait.
Waiting may be lengthy and laborious, demanding and draining,
But watch with expectancy.
Hope for His promises fulfilled.
Wait…..
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42;5,11 (NASB)
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5 (NASB)
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is lovingkindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
And He will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities. Psalm 130 (NASB)
“Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest.
The soul, uneasy, and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.” —-Alexander Pope