The Song of Hope

Throughout this past week, as I have remembered you all and missed you, and thought about what my next post might be about, the one word that kept stubbornly popping up and showing its gleeful face was HOPE! I was reluctant to post on hope AGAIN! But, as it has been the biggest influence in my life lately. I guess that I can't sweep it under the rug. Since it has been my lifeline, my surefast anchor, maybe it will prove a topic we can all relate to!

I don't have anything profound. Just the knowledge that hope I cling to, and hope I realize. During the past six or seven months life has had numerous challenges. Life always will. Indeed we are assured of this through the "words in red", "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" John 16:33. Through this period in time I have continued with life, while encouraging myself in the Lord, reminding myself what His promises say. Making sure I give the Holy Spirit ample materials to engrave these wonderful promises on my heart. I will also say, that I often turned to music to train my mind and my heart on hope, on the answer and NOT the problem.

I'd like to go into detail, and in time I will be able to. But, many of you may relate to this fact: much of our lives are intertwined with others. Their stories are not ours to tell. I have found that as years go by, and people become more secure in their new found victories and footing, they are more open about what their past experiences have been. Many not even realizing the power there is in freely giving glory to God and letting the light shine on their past, thereby illuminating the power of God to bring transformation, and giving hope to many. I figure when they freely talk about it, then I can share a little. In the meantime, suffice it to say, a major concern of mine, that had threatened to suffocate, has during the last two weeks completely turned around. How good is our God? He is SOOOOO good!

Are there still scars, bruises and other challenges? Yes, yes of course! Am I sweating it?! Mostly NO! One good thing about age, is the longer I walk with the Lord, the longer I live, the more experiences I get to back up my faith. Like David said Saul when it was time to slay the giant, "The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." In other words, the SAME Lord who has been my help in trials past, that SAME Lord will save us now! Troubles can come, we are assured they will, but they can't have the best of me. They can't have the best of my loved ones. Those troubles as I yield them, and as my loved ones yield them to the grace and sovereignty of Our Lord will instead cause us to grow deep strong roots, cause pressure to make the rivers of life bubble up in us, washing away what had previousply clouded our vision, fueling our hope, our faith, our love.

I will close for now with this scripture (Hope maketh not ashamed) that keeps repeating in my mind. I will be back with other things, but, I just had to get this one out of my system.

"...wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed;..." Romans 5:1-5

Translate? He won't let you down! You won't end up with egg on your face if you place your trust in Him.