HOPE !

Author unknown

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God!" Psalm 42:11

Fellow-Christian, we live in trying times. Nations are convulsed, thrones totter, crowns fall, confusion reigns — and men's hearts are failing them for fear. We cannot but feel — but we ought not to fear . There is enough to make us watch and pray — but not enough to deject or cast us down. The Lord reigns! Our Savior has all power in Heaven and in earth. He directs every event, and will overrule every occurrence — for the fulfillment of His word, and the good of His people. "He works all things after the counsel of his own will!"

Beloved, are you passing through storms, tempests, and trials? Hope in God — whatever your trial may be!

Are you sick? He will make your bed, and sanctify your pain.

Are you poor? He will answer your prayers, and supply all that you need.

Are you sorrowful? He will comfort you, and give you joy for your sorrow.

Are you tempted? He will not allow you to be tempted above that which you are able to bear.

Are you bereaved? He will be better to you than ten children. He will be a father to the fatherless — and a husband to the widow.

Are you in perplexity? He will bring the blind by a way that they do not know — and make your way plain before you.

Whatever may be your trial, whether inward or outward, personal or relative, spiritual or temporal — still "hope in God."

Hope, and do not fret — though the wicked prosper, and everything seems to be against you.

Hope, and do not murmur — for you have a thousand mercies more than you deserve, and more than some of your fellow pilgrims.

Hope, and do not despond; for all things shall work together for your good — your God has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm.

Hope, and do not forebode — for light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Hope, and do not complain — for your Lord forewarned you of all that has happened. He told you that in the world you should have many trials and sorrows — but in Him you should have peace.

Hope, and do not dread — no, not even death! He who has delivered does deliver, and He will yet deliver you. He has delivered you in six troubles — and in seven will not forsake you.

Hope in God — for He is gracious, merciful, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. He is faithful to His word. He is full of love to His redeemed children. He is pledged by His word to be a Father to you. He will not fail you, nor ever forsake you. He will surely do you good — and do you good even by your present trials and troubles.

Hope in God; for He has an infinite variety of blessings to bestow. He has all you need, and has it for you. He has all that you ever will want — and He will supply all you need. He has all you can consistently desire, and He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. He will hear their cry, and will save them.

Hope in God!

He has said to the coming sinner , "I will never cast out!"

He has said to the tried saint , "My grace is sufficient for you!" He has said to the weary, way-worn pilgrim to the celestial country, "Your shoes shall be iron and brass. As your days — so your strength shall be!"

He has said to each Christian , "I will never leave you, I will never, no never, forsake you!"

Hope you in God; for He will do as He has said. Yes, He will do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think! He will make all His goodness pass before us, and show us great and mighty things which we do not know.

Hope in God — for you may; His invitations warrant you.

Hope in God — for you ought; for His commands lay you under obligation.

Hope in God — for you should; for His promises are exceedingly great and very precious!

Hope, then, in God — not in circumstances, however favorable!

Hope, then, in God — not in connections, however encouraging!

Hope, then, in God — not in earthly prospects, however blooming.

Hope in God . . . when you read His word, when you attend His ordinances, when you face His foes, when you circulate His truth, when He hides His face, when your comforts wither, when your gourds die, when friends forsake you, when foes slander you, when health declines, when poverty approaches, when storms gather, when Satan assaults, and when death stares you in the face!

Hope — and be not dismayed. Let hope be . . . the helmet that guards your head, the anchor that steadies your vessel, and the friend that holds up your head when the water-floods overflow you.

In a word, at all times, in all places, under all circumstances-I should, "Put my hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God!"

"O Lord, be my Guide and Guard through the remainder of my earthly pilgrimage. In hope of the resurrection to eternal life, may I live. When I fall asleep, may it be in the blessed conviction, that when Christ shall come to be glorified in His saints — that I shall be found of Him in peace, and be forever with the Lord!"

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!" Romans 15:13

"The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." Lamentations 3:24-26

"The righteous has hope in his death." Proverbs 14:33

"Every man that has this hope in him purifies himself — even as he is pure." 1 John 3:3

"There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt!" Hosea 2:15