Hope

Psalm 71
You see it in the faces of the children, watch it in the eyes of the young people, and follow it in the purposeful stride of the young adults. Observe it as it rises to conquer through the struggles of adulthood, pursue it as it takes its place alongside the slowing gait of the elderly – for no generation can succeed without it, no dream can press on unless it possess it, no existence can truly live and exclude it . . . it simply must be present, HOPE!

Hope within itself is beautiful, yet it is hope in our eternal God that leads us on to purpose far beyond our own. His thoughts are far above our thoughts, and His ways far above our ways. To rise above the circumstances – and accomplish His life through us truly begins with the words of David, “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You” (Psalm 39:7).

The importance of a life is found in living a life of daily faithfulness while fixing the hope of the soul on God. We are admonished in scripture time and again of how life is like a vapor. Like the wisp of a cloud, the rising and disappearance of the steam of an old fashioned tea kettle. Here – and so quickly gone. What the vapor of our life permeates greatly resides in whom we place our hope.

Many before us have taken the candle of hoping in God to light the pathway we now walk. Shining on a pathway of Holy living, and selfless giving. Holding high a flame of freedom in Christ, and liberty in our nation that all too soon becomes our responsibility. Yet, it is the tune of hope that proclaims the song we choose to sing – the symphony of praise that we adjust the harmony of our soul to find in all of life’s situations giving thanks.

Lead on! Lead on, O God of hope! Be in the faces of our children! Spring up within the eyes of our young people! Guide the purposeful stride of our young adults! Rise up within us, causing us to conquer through the battles we must face! Continue to walk beside us as our vapor begins to fade . . . we choose to once again place our hope, our faith, our trust, in YOU!

Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune--without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

Emily Dikinson

Walk boldly and wisely....There is a hand above that will help you on. -- Philip James Bailey

Take it with You

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5&6).