The secret strength of a nation is found in the faith that abides in the hearts and homes of the country.
From Galatians 6:10: “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.”
From John 4:13-14: “Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.'”
Waking up each morning
Running to look outside
Father’s world always waits
His purpose never hides
Listening, nature sings
Filling creation’s peace
Father’s world shares our hope
His labors never cease
Walking in His presence
Feeling trust ever grow
Father’s world honors life
His living water flows
Witnessing earthly wrongs
Perplexing sadness builds
Father’s world reaches out
His hands mold to rebuild
Praising God high above
Renewing faith’s wellspring
Father’s world reigns beyond
His Word forever rings
This poem was influenced by the beloved hymn, “This is My Father’s World.” Inspired by the scenery of upper state New York’s Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls, American pastor and Christian writer, Maltbie D. Babcock, wrote a poem. Following his death, his wife published the poem which later became the lyrics for this well-known hymn.
The location of Hope County can’t be found on any maps
Perhaps hope resides in our caring hearts, ready to tap
Last year’s drought
Brings misery and dried-up hope
Optimistic farmers seed spring crops with unwavering hope
A nearby processing plant
Will close soon with vanishing hope
Hurting families look to God for new hope
A nation’s inner fiber
Torn and ripped apart with faltering hope
Martin Luther King proclaims a message of rebuilding hope
A man sits despaired and forlorn
Being laid off with a future that offers spiritless hope
Receiving a new job brings praise to a God of immense hope
A crime-ridden neighborhood
Breathes each day with an absence of hope
Community spirit and love return with true hope
A charred Apollo spacecraft
Dashes an American moon journey with little hope
Neil Armstrong walks on the moon with restored hope
A scorned and forgotten child
Feels left out at school with fading hope
A passionate teacher smiles and brings refreshing hope
A middle-aged woman
Receives news that her body is filled with cancer and no hope
Prayers intercede filled with cancer-free and grace-filled hope
A sin-filled world
Awaits a Savior with never-ending hope
God sends His Son to deliver eternally-filled hope
Our world contains many places
Where hearts are filled with everlasting spirit and hope
Let’s never turn-off for a second our amazing hope
The Bible speaks a great deal about hope. Search for numerous examples such as from Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
As never before in this generation, we realize that we are dependent upon God for protection and strength. Our resolve is firm because our refuge is based on the eternal foundation of the living God.
From 2 Timothy 2:19: “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.'”
From Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Facing challenges
Darkest, stressful times
Feeling need to flee
Days no longer rhyme
Cresting floodwaters
Race seems lost, no doubt
Overwhelming doom
Path blocked, no way out
Inner voice speaking
Quitters never win
Winners never quit
Life’s new road begins
Looking to Jesus
Faith’s firm cornerstone
Enduring His fate
Never feel alone
Hearing His message
Persistence wins out
Yielding victory
Timeless turnabout
From James 1:12: “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
The Cross is not a mere event in history; it’s a way of life! Take up your Cross DAILY, Jesus said!
From Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If any wish to come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.'”
John Piper (born 1946) is an American pastor, theologian, and Christian scholar. He is the founder and teacher of desiringgod.org.
From Romans 8:12-13: “So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Accepting Jesus Christ
Freeing from sin and death
Spirit within now calls
Freeing Word’s divine breath
Dwelling deep in our souls
Feeding with Living Bread
Spirit within now cares
Feeding from grace ahead
Suffering with Jesus
Walking from bloody cross
Spirit within now breathes
Walking free, evil’s loss
Stepping into hope’s light
Living under God’s will
Spirit within now speaks
Living through Christ’s goodwill
Praying to one Father
Speaking from empty heart
Spirit within now leads
Speaking with faith’s new start
From Romans 8:26-27: “ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Entering
Narrow gate
Road appears hard
But, leads to new
Life
Walking
With Jesus
Truth’s unshakable hand
Faith defines our future
Life
Receiving
Lord’s grace
Steadfast in faith
Blessed gift of eternal
Life
From Psalm 18:2-3: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies.”
Darkest storms rocking our world
Feeling faith washing away
Turning to Jesus, we hope
His solid rock, never sways
Raging floods rocking life’s peace
Hearing His bold, righteous voice
Turning to Jesus, we kneel
His solid rock, let’s rejoice
Perils rocking daily lives
Seeking comfort in His grace
Turning to Jesus, we pray
His solid rock, let’s embrace
No longer rocking in fear
Stepping over sinking sand
Turning to Jesus, we praise
His solid rock, holds our hand
Edward Mote (1797-1874) was an English pastor and prolific hymn writer. One of his most beloved hymns, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” was composed in 1834.
From Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Daily news fills with darkness
Wilderness, eternal home
Future forever empty
Trials continue to roam
Standing alone, Father speaks
Hearing His goodness in Word
Building life’s new foundation
Walking to His light’s watchword
Steps marching with assurance
Trust in Father grows each day
Hope strengthened in His mercy
Steadfast love charting faith’s way
Receiving this gift of faith
Praising Father’s divine lease
Fulfilling every promise
Inheriting grace-filled peace
From Psalm 33:20-22: “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and shield. Our heart is glad in Him because we trust in His holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
Big Sky Buckeye 