SPIRITUAL BUDS

Why are you cast down, O

my soul? And why are you

disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall

yet praise Him for the help

of His countenance.

Psalm 42:5

Many of us might find ourselves a little wealthier if we could have one dollar for every time we have heard “I hope so.” Most often the word is used in a very downcast manner, but that is not the meaning or intent of the word.

I have also considered the phrase “Keep the faith.” I used to hear that said sounding like some kind of cheer, called out by someone usually wanting to encourage someone. I have come to see the two words FAITH and HOPE as words that are to be encouraging. Non believers use both words in their own way, just perhaps helping others to be of good cheer.

I have looked at these words before, and although I'm primarily looking at the word HOPE, I still want to give attention to the word FAITH for us to once again see them in light of spiritual importance.

                                                        F-orsaking              H-aving

                                                        A-ll                          O-nly

                                                        I-                             P-ositive

                                                        T-rust                      E-xpectations

                                                        H-im

One thing I see both words have in common is that both requires some activity on our part. Those activities can be on the uncomfortable side for us. One part tells us to “forsake all” and that's a word we don't care for. It generally means giving up thing(s) we don't want to give up but the key added word there is “all.” God may convict us of something we need to get away from be it habits, people, pastimes, etc. Forsaking means to give something up totally, never to revisit it again.

Hope, however is a very positive concept. The hard part of this is the word “positive.” We live in a very negative time. At times our first inclination is to thing about what won't or can't happen. Hope, however, is purely a positive concept. We wouldn't hope to be in a car accident or burn the dinner. It means our focusing on the good that can happen in any situation of our concern.

Be it faith or hope in our lives, the one Person that might not be considered in the moment is the Author of both...our Father. He has meant both for our joy and well being. In our complete trust in God, hope can walk us through any situation. We can trust and rest in Him with a smile of anticipation when we trust only Him and hope in those expectations He will work for our good.

Help us to trust You, Father, in all things and to plant our hopes and desires in You alone. May we function in Your power and Yours alone. In Jesus name...Amen