Hope comes softly after a pause
“In hope we lift our wishful, longing eyes.” J. G Deck (1802 – 1884)
Hope is soft
Hope comes softly after a pause.
During a storm,
During a flood.
During the misery of darkness, hold the line with even a little constancy,
knowing that Hope is near and that Hope will come softly.
“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8 verse 25
when I am weak then am I strong
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
“For when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12 verse 10
When I am depressed, afraid, cast down, plagued with worry, then I look up and I see Jesus and He gives my strength. He is my Hope, my Refuge and my Light in this dark and evil world.
The evidence of things not seen.
“Even in the inevitable moments when all seems hopeless, men know that without hope they cannot really live and in agonizing desperation they cry for the bread of hope.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Waiting with baited anticipation, we believe and we trust in something good.
The surety of hope is the firm foundation on which faith stands.
Without faith we cannot believe and without believing there is no hope.
“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 verse 1
walk by faith not by sight
Luck is an unpredictable force outside of our control that is governed by chance.
Hope anticipates the good and wishes for the best and is driven by faith, not chance.
Luck is interchangeable between the positive and the negative, whereas Hope is constantly positive.
“We walk by faith, not by sight and we are confident…” 2 Corinthians 5 verse 7 and 8a
faithful companion of Confidence
The need for hope lights a fire within our soul;
A burning desire that transports us from one moment to the next with the confidence of knowing our goal, our prize, our reward is closer still.
While hoping, we can never expire like that of Lot’s wife caught between the wish and longing.
No, for with hope we are always compelled to press onward, never looking back, always moving forward to a better place from whence we came.
In hope, our steps are made sure and safe;
Our hearts are made fat with strength and purpose so to withstand the fickleness of the mind.
Because Hope, the faithful companion of Confidence, can never fail;
Is never lonely;
Can never be contrite.
And never gives into despair.
“but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope makes not ashamed.” Romans 5 verses 3 and 4
Dictionary definition states, hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true. (Merriam-Webster)
Having hope is to be expectant, to have confidence and certainty.
It is the light at the end of a long and dark tunnel.
Despair has no power to grow or even to exist, when hope shines eternal.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death neither sorrow, nor shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away” Revelation 21 verse 4
for I know the thoughts I think toward you…
Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Man (1732) brings things into perspective regarding hope when he wrote, “hope springs eternal in the human breast; man never is, but always to be blest. ” We live for hope in this strange and changing world. Hope is part of our unique psychological make up entwined around our hearts, we cannot miss the fact that it was also the last being left within the box.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29 verse 11
Enjoy your labours it is a gift from God.
Procrastination is a virus;
A killer of production, of dreams;
Whose burrs stretch long and deep.
Latching onto thoughts to gain purchase and worth.
That evil twin of sloth, the last of the seven, lies within;
A consuming truth of life, only existing in time because of life, can never die.
“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall your poverty come as one that travels; and your want as an armed man.” Proverbs 24 verse 33 and 34
Seize the day because time waits on no one. Enjoy your labours, it is a gift from God. – Ecclesiastes
forgetting those things which are behind
Today’s Inspire
Can something that is fleeting be captured?
Knowing that thing, that something, will eventually come to an end?
Holding steadfast to precious memories is Resolute
Creating new memories is Special;
A Gift,
A Treasure,
An Everlasting Fulfillment.
Carpe Diem (pluck the day or seize the day) is the Absolute
“forgetting those things which are behind,
(some good, some bad or some ugly, these cannot be changed)
and reaching for those things which are before.” Philippians 3 verse 13
Take this moment to breathe.
Today’s Inspire
Time runs out for us all.
Young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor, none of us can cheat the brevity of time;
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3 verse 1
But while it is still day;
While there is still life and while the day breaks into a new dawn, we must work before the night falls and the shadows lengthen.
Take this moment to breathe.
“And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29 verse 13.
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