HOPE!

 

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

 

—Psalm 43:5 (NLT)

 

 

O LORD, My God,

 

You are my Hope! Yes, You are my never-failing Hope! Help me fix my eyes on You and l will praise You again—my Savior and my God!

 

In those dark times of deep distress, when my soul is downcast and disturbed within me, grant me the wisdom to question myself, to question the truth of the thoughts that have me disquieted, and to focus my heart on things eternal—on all that You are to me, and on all that You say that I am in You.

 

Help me to exhort myself again, to stir up my faith anew, to put my hope in the One who never disappoints—to put my hope in You, alone—trusting that You are well able and ever-willing to do all that You have promised to do, according to Your Word.

 

And help me to begin to lift my praise to You—even in my distress—and wait expectantly as You lift me up into Your Presence where the Truth is found, where my strength and courage are renewed, and where my joy and peace are restored, because of my never-failing Hope!

 

You are my Hope! Yes, You are my never-failing Hope! Help me fix my eyes on You, and I will praise You again—my Savior and my God!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.