Hope is nothing else than the expectation of those things which faith has believed to have been truly promised by God.
From Romans 8:24-25: “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
From the words of British pastor and theologian, Charles Spurgeon: “The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.”
Encountering another of life’s setbacks
Visitor from the darkness shouts, “I am back”
Old Man Trouble comes knocking at my front door
Relentless, he desires to even the score
How will I choose to deal with adversity?
His darkness masks the sky over this city
Tackle straight forward what Old Man Trouble brings
Or . . . wait timidly for his continued sting
God’s Word teaches us and brings us hope:
We all live preciously in God’s perfect sight
He gathers us in His loving, Holy might
Past—present—future . . . from the Great I Am
Making it through turbulent seas for each lamb
Through desolate wilderness, God shares a way
Bringing rivers of hope to this life’s gateway
Looking Old Man Trouble in his doom-filled eyes
With faithful courage, my hope begins to rise
Life waits to see . . . who will finally blink first?
With God’s living water, quenching my parched thirst
Listening, following God’s steadfast handbook
His love will save me with a whole new outlook
Bringing Godly fortitude, when needed most
Old Man Trouble defeated, nothing to boast
From Isaiah 43:2-3: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
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.”
Life’s journey suddenly growing cold
Living under clouds of uncertainty
No longer feeling confident and bold
Even confident people possess fears
Overcome by unplanned dilemmas
Feeling much like the rest of our peers
Our faithful prayers will be heard
God’s will scatters those stormy clouds
Never lose hope, listen to His Word
As neighbors, our love supports each other
Through our steadfast encouragement
Children of God, true sisters and brothers
Tackling problems on life’s clipboard
Filled with determination and courage
Walking in confidence with our Lord
From the words of German-Dutch Christian author, Thomas a Kempis: “Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.”
From Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Normally for many
This world looks full and bright
Cups overflow with blessings
But then, dark dims the light
From this window, world turns blue
Hope was filled with each seed
Life’s harvest seems in doubt
Farmers’ fields fill with weeds
Harsh rhetoric and gloom
Positivity hides
Lost in negative times
With whom shall we abide?
There has to be a way
Let’s not fight over masks
Turning blueness to light
Remind us of our tasks
Jesus, the Bread of Life
Fills our empty hunger
Leading us to His peace
Hearts feeling much younger
There are days during this Covid pandemic in which I feel at a loss. The roller coaster ride of life suddenly takes a dark turn, and I feel left at the gate. This poem was written following one of these “blue” moments in my life. Together, we can continue to share prayers and encouragement with others. God’s peace!
From the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “Courage faces fear and thereby masters it. Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.”
Worry arrives with concerns never to come
Building upon past fears, stoking future ones
Life’s landscape fills with looming mountains
Instead of gentle molehills, fear gathers and stuns
Concerns about future challenges come forth
Transforming into worries, fueling more fear
Darkest clouds come together and gather
Who will grab the wheel and start to steer?
Waiting for our Lord, He renews our strength
Living by faith, His Word restores our soul
Rejoicing in hope, patient in suffering
Renewed by the Spirit, we feel more whole
God always walks with us, seek Him in prayer
Darkest valleys ahead, His love casts out fears
With compassion for our sufferings, hear His Word
Comforted by His rod and staff, God never veers
Asking of our Father, seeking His counsel
Bringing clearer witness, through His precise scope
His guidance renews our hearts, calming fears
His wisdom touches minds, filled with Gospel hope
From Mark 5:35-36: “While He was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”
Stormy clouds approach
Life’s storms threaten with darkness—
Christ quiets the wind
Jesus promises
Another Advocate comes—
The Holy Spirit
Jesus walks ahead
Emmanuel, God with us—
Coming to save us
Gleaned from some recent entries in my journal, this poem serves as a reflection of life as seen through many of the blog posts which I have recently read.
Our lost, troubled world
Rocked by oppression
Arriving overhead
Dark skies ask questions
God’s living Word shouts
Straighten our actions
Fueling empty faith
Healing infractions
Our Father shares His peace
Do you now feel it?
Discouraged hearts climb
Do you now see it?
From lofty heavens
God’s work perseveres
Lasting hope dries up
Years of tear-filled fears
Reminded daily
Our Lord’s grace-filled truth
His presence proclaims
Lasting light of truth
Navigating storms
Embracing His hope
Never stop dreaming
Through God’s telescope
From Matthew 14:25:27: “And early in the morning He [Jesus] came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Dreaded Covid arrives, knocking at her door
Daughter takes refuge on a hospital floor
Fear challenges faith during this trying hour
Daughter and mother seek God’s love and power
Through their journey of faith, walking together
God steps forward, quieting stormy weather
Hand in hand with God, crossing scary tightrope
His love sustains their faith, resurrecting hope
Mother and daughter’s prayers, never alone
This hellish scourge flees at last, sending her home
Singing praises of thanksgiving, with glad hearts
Walking hand in hand, their life journey restarts
Kneeling before a Holy, mighty Father
Feeling the Lord’s love, like a great grandfather
From Psalm 92:1-2: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”
Reading from Psalm 38, one finds David’s words as he asks for God’s healing. This poem’s verses bring to the forefront an active voice with feeling, praying, finding, healing, praising, and seeing.
Feeling darkness
Feeling unknown
Feeling empty
Feeling alone
Praying with faith
Praying this Psalm
Praying for hope
Praying for calm
Finding God’s love
Finding what’s heard
Finding new life
Finding His Word
Healing these wounds
Healing this soul
Healing my heart
Healing me whole
Praising Father
Praising accords
Praising heavens
Praising my Lord
Seeing the Cross
Seeing the light
Seeing Christ’s love
Seeing God’s might
From Psalm 38:15: “But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.”
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Failing once again
Life’s troubles bomb away
Whom shall I turn to?
Failing once again
Darkness moves ever closer
Where is the light?
Failing once again
Shame swallows me up
How can my spirit be restored?
Failing once again
Life’s torments engulf me
Why . . . why?
Failing once again
Loneliness surrounds my heart
What recourse do I have?
Failing once again
Life’s hour glass, now nearly empty
When will I be free?
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Failing once again . . .
Turning to my Heavenly Father
Never thinking of me as a bother
From a Cross, Salvation’s light sheds hope
Pulled up from the Pit by a Holy rope
Kneeling before the Savior, sins and all
Humbling following Him will be my call
Through a broken body and shed blood
By Grace alone, escaping life’s flash flood
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The structure of this poem features dual parts. In the beginning verses, the reader is taken to a much darker place. Using themes of sorrow, darkness, and hopelessness presents a challenge to both the reader and the writer. In answering the questions found in the poem, the ending verses are structured around common Christian themes of hope, joy, light, and rebirth.
