It Would Be Easy To Despair...or Hope's Great Counterclaim

Today's poem prompt from Robert Lee Brewer:

For today's prompt, write a pessimistic poem.

***

I shared the verse below on yesterday's post HERE

I am sharing it again today because it felt

like a divine reminder when I needed it most!

Psalm 116:13

I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the Lord.

(read the whole glorious chapter HERE)

Sometimes I forget...

The cup of salvation and the name of the Lord

supply every need!

Hallelujah and thank-you, dear Savior!

Sometimes I forget, happiness in this world

is not the end goal!

(But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;

 and all these things shall be added unto you-Matt.6:33)

(dear readers, not from this community.

I am mourning the loss of a neighbour and friend,

a mother to three children, very dear to my heart

who used to be in my childcare,

and who still visit on a let's-go-for-a-walk-to-Janet-whim💓

bearing gifts of farm fresh eggs, cheese, fresh cookies, etc.

and always so much love.)

In times of tragedy it could be easy to lose heart,

but through Christ, we have Hope's great counterclaim to despair!

Sharing a few recent YouTube uploads to cheer us on

I Set My Hope on Jesus

 

God of Every Grace

All Things-Sovereign Grace Music

It would be easy to despair

To be crushed beneath weight of care

Where the world at large has gone mad

Testing the quests that make us glad

It would be easy to lose sight

Of faith's position of delight

If we fixate on what we see

Of suffering's great misery

It would be easy to fall prey

To gloom and doom's cheerless dismay

It seems like Satan's bag of tricks

Has left a world no one can fix 

It would be easy to believe

The one whose hate aims to deceive

To plant a seed of doubt, to lure

Us from God's promises secure 

It would be easy to lose heart

As we watch the world fall apart

Because of the rejection of

God's Cornerstone of Truth and Love

It would be easy to give in

Crushed by consequences of sin

Without salvation's brimming cup

It would be easy to give up

...ah, here we find Hope's Deathless Rose

Salvation's cup still overflows

Redemption's flood still runs between

The part we see and the Unseen 

For this is not the Destiny

This is The Joy that Waits To Be

Lift up your eyes, behold the Yet

That we are so prone to forget

Remember, God is good and kind

He opens eyes, otherwise blind

Do not lose heart, do not despair

Time, but the path we pave/brave with prayer

© Janet Martin

2 Pet. 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 

through the knowledge of Him who called us by His owna glory and excellence.

  4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

 now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,

 and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, 

for great is your reward in heaven, 

for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Ps.122:1

I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

John 15:9-11

As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. 

Remain in My love.

10If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, 

just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

  11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you 

and your joy may be complete.

Why We (Believers) May Go Forth With Joy Each Day

 Because only the blood of Christ can wash us white as snow...

Isa.1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

 though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; 

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

May we, believers, rejoice every day

as we reflect on God's goodness and mercy,

but all the more as we approach Easter season,

and meditate on what it cost God to purchase

 the gift of salvation, and what it means for all who

believe and receive it!

Hallelujah! Praise the name of Jesus!

 ...and you are to give him the name Jesus, 

because he will save his people from their sins.” Matt.1:21

Because goodness and mercy follow us our whole life through

Because God never forsakes us, because His word is true

We may go forth with joy each day, because, though all else fails

Nothing can sway God's promises; His steadfast word prevails

Because greater is He in us than this world’s greatest threat

Because, though all armies amass, our God is greater yet

We may go forth with heart content in what The Lord has done;

For redemption’s requirement, God gave his only Son

Because only the blood of Christ can wash us white as snow

Because God rich in mercy sacrificed himself to show

How much He loves us; thus, we may go forth in victory

Armed with the power of the cross; ‘not I but Christ in me’

Because the love and word of God abide, faithful and true

And everlasting; faith will not fear what mere man can do

Because, not man, but God is bringing us through everything

We may go forth with singing, because He is Lord and King

© Janet Martin

Jesus Saves!

Oh My God, Since Thou Art With Me

When I am tempted to despair

God bids me lean on Him in prayer

There He tramples the enemy

As He whispers His peace to Me

The world may sometimes seem like a different place

 than in 'the good, old days'

 but it isn't really. Evil has always been evil 

and God has always been faithful and good!

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:

 because greater is he that is in you,

 than he that is in the world.

Greater is He

Ps.18:2

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; 

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

The Lord is By My Side

Oh my God, since Thou art with me

Thou who givest life its breath

Thou who walked the way to Calv’ry

Thou who bore love’s cross, to/through death

Thou, whom death could never conquer

Thou, whose Name grants hope its goal

Thou, the Victor of grave’s plunder

Thou, the Saviour of the soul

Thou, who satisfies Want’s hunger

Through Thy everlasting word

Thou, who fits us with faith’s armour

Thou, whose will is undeterred

Thou, who orchestrates each season

Thou who numbers all our days

Thou, whose ways transcend our reason

Thou, whose love never betrays

Thou, who never will forsake us

Thou, whose promises secure

Thou, whose favor longs to make us

More like Thee; holy and pure

Oh, my God since Thou art with me

To commune and commandeer

Thou, whose Light transcends death’s valley

What have I to dread or fear?

Oh, my God, since Thou art with me

Thou who suffered for my sin

Thou whose blood out-poured, redeems me

Thou, whose Spirit dwells within

Thou, my Comforter in sorrow

Thou, my fortress, come what may

Thou who bidst me not to borrow

Morrow’s troubles for today

Thou who cheers me in the struggle

Thou, who guards me from despair

Thou, who is my help in trouble

Thou, who hears my earnest prayer

Thou, whose purpose will not falter

Thou whose power will prevail

Thou, who beholds worship’s altar

Thou, whose Ransom will not fail

Thou, who receives my confession

Thou, Forgiver of sin’s shame

Thou, who keeps no record of them

To crush joy with guilt or blame

Thou whose Goodness overwhelms me

Thou whose mercy overrides

Oh my God, since Thou art with me

What have I to need besides?

Oh my God, since Thou art with me

Thou who holds Time in Thy hands

Thou, Cradle of eternity

Thou whose Supreme Say commands 

Thou, whose Provision is perfect

Thou, whose judgments never err

Thou, who is changeless in edict

Whose love is beyond compare 

Thou, who stepped from Heaven's glory

To be sin's Atonement Lamb

Author of Salvation's Story

I AM who I say I AM

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, yet

Thou, Redemption's Once-For-All

Thou, who broke the curse sin beget/begot  

Thou, who saves us from The Fall

Thou, who did not spare His body

But with selfless sympathy

Put on flesh, became nobody

Suffered in all ways, as we

Thou, who rent the veil to ritual 

Thou who saves us by His grace

Oh my God, since Thou art faithful

Who could ever take Thy place? 

© Janet Martin

He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me

John 17:3
And this is life eternal, 

that they might know thee the only true God, 

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;

 and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 93:2
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

How To Replenish Love's Delight...

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”

 (Romans 12:11).

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart,

 for God has already approved what you do.

Ecclesiastes 9:7

Above, a few verses from a few Daily Bread devotionals I missed on the weekend

because we were away for a bit!

Great verses to contemplate as we begin a new week!

May your week be as sweet as a Krispy Kreme donut!

(One of our stops)

It's easy to be filled with delight while savoring donuts,

but life/love isn't always as soft and sweet as a fresh donut, is it?!

If it was we would become fat and foolish,

sluggish and selfish!

James 1:2-4 BSB

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 

when you encounter trials of many kinds, 

3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

 4Allow perseverance to finish its work, 

so that you may be mature and complete, 

not lacking anything.

We walk by faith, not sight

To overcome despair

Is to replenish love's delight

Through faithful, thankful prayer

Is to fix our eyes

On He whose hope elates

Whose grace made possible the prize

That faith anticipates 

Is to count our joys

Rather than our woes

Is to seize what each morn deploys

And dusk draws to a close

Is to choose what is right

And forgive fellowman

And in each flight from morn to night

To do the best we can

Because God gave His best

Because He loves us so

To dwell on this renews the zest/quest

No care can overthrow

Because when we believe

We walk by faith, not sight

And as we trust we will receive

Love's replenished delight

Janet Martin

Jer.17:7

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

 whose confidence is in him.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, 

who has not turned to the proud, 

nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Perseverance Perspective...

First perseverance, 

then the prize!

Sometimes we forget 

and want the Prize now!

Lead Me to Calvary

James 1:2-8

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] 

whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature 

and complete, not lacking anything.

 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,

 who gives generously to all without finding fault, 

and it will be given to you.

 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, 

because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,

 blown and tossed by the wind.

 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

The testing of our faith produces perseverance!

I used to subconsciously equate the word 'testing' with physical trials

such as sickness, death, natural disasters etc.

but in the phrase 'trials of many kinds' one I had not considered

until perhaps the past few years,

and one that has many once confessed believers denying their faith,

is the fact that because our minds cannot explain or reconcile

God's thoughts and ways and commands

 (whether in the Old Testament or

 in this age of love and holiness misunderstood)

disillusionment/confusion/anger forsakes faith

rather than letting the test produce perseverance.

Heb.6:11

And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists

 and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God doesn't meet us on our terms.

We meet Him on His, laid out ever-so-changelessly

and perfectly in His Word,

Let's pray for a more humble faith, 

Eph.1:15-20

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus 

and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, 

remembering you in my prayers.

 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation,

 so that you may know him better. 

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened 

in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, 

*the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted

 when he raised Christ from the dead 

and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

The first temptation and sin was a desire to be as wise as God!

That sin seems still to test the faith of many!

Lord, help us hate the sinfulness of sin (in so many subtle forms).

Lord, help us to look on You,  soberly and thankfully remembering

 what You suffered on our behalf to save us from sin's penalty!

Forgive us if we should forget!

Forgive us, Lord, when we forget

And wise in our own eyes debate

Thy love and righteousness and fret

At the prerequisites of faith;

'the substance of hope, unashamed

the evidence of Things Unseen'

Believing all You have proclaimed

And trusting You to intervene

Where often love misunderstood

Could kindle a fault-finding rue 

Remind us You work for the good

Of all who put their trust in You

Remind us of the patriarchs

Who died without having received

The Promise, yet with humble hearts

Being assured, they still believed

Forgive us Lord, when we neglect

To see the sinfulness of sin

And thus, unconsciously reject

Thy loving, still, small Voice within

Forgive us when we minimize

The bloodstained cross of Calvary

And far to often fail to prize

The price You paid to set us free 

Forgive us when we, with proud thought

Contest Your higher thoughts and ways

And dare to grumble at our lot

Rather than lifting hymns of praise

And should faith tremble in the gale

Of tests and troubles that must be

Remind us, this is but the veil

Faith's Last Gasp rends, then we will see

(*the riches of the glorious inheritance)

© Janet Martin

The Potter's Hand

Christmas That Never Ends

Day-after-Christmas contemplation...

The hustle and bustle of Christmas busyness,

the rustle of wrapping paper,

the frenzy of last minute food and gift prep,

the shrieks of excitement and delight

will soon fade like fond footfalls of farewell,

we collect in heart-vaults.

...but the Spirit of Christmas,

because of God's everlasting goodness through the gift

of his Son, Jesus, is hopefully a daily joy, all year through!

Christmas Season, with all its fuss and bustle will soon fade

And disappear into the hush of Bygone’s promenade

But, Belief in the Reason for the season, anchors peace

His everlasting goodness gladdens hope with joy’s increase

Belief transforms the lens we look through to find happiness

It mends the holes in our souls with precious promises

And grounds faith in the merit of love, unfathomable

Where Father, Son and Spirit manifests Immanuel

Where redemption endorses profound possibility

The blood of Christ that cleanses and atones, sets sinners free

From the inherent curse; the first-fruit that first sin conceived

But God so rich in mercy washed away when we believed

This keeps the joy of Christmas alive in us all year long

His everlasting goodness kindles everlasting song

Because belief in the Reason for the Season transcends

The temporal; Jesus gives us Christmas that never ends

© Janet Martin

the morning after

a lot of laughter, food and joys aka noise😅💖!!!

John 10;10

I have come that they may have life, 

and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jesus~

Keep On!

Yesterday I attended the funeral of Wayne.

Friends and family received words of comfort and encouragement

as we reflected on a man, not perfect, but committed humbly

to honor God, though his lot in life was not what anyone would choose,

he desired above all to;

'fight a good fight, to run the course and to keep the faith, 

The service opened with the reminder that Wayne has done what still awaits all of us! 

He has met his Maker, but His Maker was/is also his Savior. 

We were challenged that the same may be true of us;

that when we meet God we will meet Him not only as our Maker 

but, as our Savior too!

The second speaker reminded family and friends 

that our God is a God of promises; 

He promises peace, 

He promises rest 

and He promises never to leave or forsake us. 

Sweet words of comfort esp. for Wayne's wife, children, Dad, siblings, etc.

...so, reflecting on a funeral at Christmas is not morbid

but in reality, is what the joy of Christmas is; Jesus, the hope of mankind

come to earth to be our Saviour

not for this brief life only, but to all who believe,

 forever and ever! Amen!

This reality makes our Christmas reflections more precious than ever!!

And rekindles faith's fervor to keep on till we too can say,

'I have fought the good fight, 

I have finished the race,

 I have kept the faith. 

8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day,

 and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Tim.4:7-8

Keep on, we, not yet victorious

Upon Jesus fix faith’s eyes

For the joy still set before us

Keep on pressing to the prize

Keep on praying to keep seeking

God’s kingdom and righteousness

Keep on trusting, wholly leaning

Of His steadfast promises

Keep on looking to the Saviour

To imbue our walk and talk

To correct rebel behaviour

Lest we leave a stumbling block

Keep on casting cares on Jesus

Praise Him with each thought and breath

Until His last mercy frees us

From these bodies doomed to death

Keep on hoping, keep on loving

Every sin, humbly confess

Until the day of faith’s proving

Wins a crown of righteousness

Keep on with fixed dedication

To fight dark forces of sin

Until faith’s last invitation

Hears these blessed words ‘enter in’

© Janet Martin

Faith's Perfect Provision

In a week from today, (Christmas!)

Christians will be celebrating the birth of the Object of our faith;

our Lord Jesus Christ!

Luke 2:10-11

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: 

for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

 which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David

 a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Romans 5:1

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah!!!

Yesterday morning a plea in the opening prayer at our church service

caught at my heart...'that You would find us faithful, Lord'!!

What is the use of anything else, if He does not find us faithful?!!

Matt.24:13

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Does this not bid us plead for Sunday morning's fire

to kindle Monday morning's desire?!!

Doesn't it bring fresh zeal/appeal to this old, cherished Christmas hymn??

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful

So this morning, no matter what composes our fears, regrets and sorrows

we may rejoice and be glad in this day He has made...

for He who promised is faithful!!

Heb.10:19-23

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence 

to enter the Most Holy Placed by the blood of Jesus, 

20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,e

21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

  22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,

 having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience 

and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, 

for He who promised is faithful.

***

Enough to know, though sorrow scores the garment of the soul

And the enemy of faith roars, still, God is in control

The witness of each thought and intent of the heart, is kind

His everlasting love is not a figment of the mind

But is, in every circumstance, a Present Help indeed

To all who trust in Him, He grants exactly what we need

Then, where care’s billows ebb and flow, joy and peace still console

Because, it is enough to know that God is in control

Thus, all contenders for the faith have no cause for despair

God’s full armour will keep us safe to persevere through prayer

For He is in control no matter how the Whole may bend

The Shepherd of the Soul helps us be faithful to the end

© Janet Martin

 

Till Life on Earth Is Through

Each new day overflows

With undefeated worth...

The gladness only God bestows

Undergoes grand rebirth

This time of year our hearts and minds start to turn Christmas-ward!

For the believer in Jesus, it is a glad celebration

 of the Living Hope, joy and peace we cherish every day!

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

We walk by faith, not sight

The joy that we proclaim

By God’s grace, is the chief delight

Of all who love His name

We do not hope in vain

Our God, faithful and true

Abides with us midst fear and pain

Of this world’s fleeting rue

Each new day overflows

With undefeated worth

The gladness only God bestows

Undergoes grand rebirth

As we fix our gaze

On That Which is Unseen

While weathering the wearing ways

Of time that lies between

By faith, reply reveres

The call that we receive

As we treasure God's Word that cheers

All who trust and believe

…while keeping watch, we pray

That faith will remain true

Until the great and glorious day

When life on earth is through

© Janet Martin

Matthew 24:42
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.

Is There Room in your Heart?

Bat Not Thine Eye Lash at Thy Guilt...or, Earnest Plea

Reading through the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah kindles

much sober reflection and speechless awe

for the sure judgment and the abounding love and mercy of God

Bat not thine eye lash at thy guilt

Brush not at sin, like lint on sleeves

Shrug not thy shoulders at blood spilt

To save everyone who believes

Rush not, bold-faced, into the day

Without reckoning He who grants

The morn its light; bow down and pray

For temptation’s deliverance

Mock not, nor take in vain the Name

Above all names; but chastely fear

The One, whereby prophets proclaim

‘Look up, redemption draweth near’

Let not imagination rule

In rebel disobedience

Refuse the logic of the fool

Approach today with reverence

Lest, poorly and blindly content

With pomp and show of Noble Thought

Thy deathless soul reaps hell’s lament/torment

Because God called but ‘you would not’

The gods of this world cannot hear

Thy futile prayers when troubles groan

Fall on thy knees, repent, revere

The God of gods and God alone

Do not deceive thyself, but pray

For faith, to tremble at His Word

For love, devoted to obey

He whose decrees are undeterred

Bat not thy eye at the grave rift

Each soul must ford ‘neath death’s cold knife

Repent, believe, receive God’s gift

Forgiveness and eternal life

© Janet Martin

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Sweet Recompense

Eph.2:14

For He Himself is our peace...

(Today's poem was inspired by the first line 

in today's Daily Bread Devotion scripture reading)

...and then, the outer fringes of His glory

filled the heavens where 'evidence of things unseen'

grants glimpses of Him!

Jesus is our peace; hell’s gates cannot prevail

Against the Cornerstone that keeps faith anchored in the gale

When we have known the truth, the truth will set us free

No longer owned by sin’s uncouth, lawless captivity

Faith’s crux of things hoped for; of evidence unseen

Anchors the Soul; the Goal more precious than what lies between

The delight of the Lord, no mortal can impart

From the wealth of His Word, He gives desires of the heart

His promises endure, nothing can take the place

Of joy complete; through the assurance of amazing grace

Peace; what sweet recompense when faith has made us whole 

Hell's gates cannot prevail against the Savior of the soul

© Janet Martin

Why, oh, why is it so easy to slip into the snare

of wanting what we see rather than what we know

(if the truth has set us free)

Oh!! Pray it has!

And if it has

oh, pray for all who still do not know the truth!

John 8:32

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Living Hope

Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners

Song by Matthew Smith

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!

Jesus! Lover of my soul;

Friends may fail me, foes assail me,

He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!

Let me hide myself in Him.

Tempted, tried, and often failing,

He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!

While the billows over me roll,

Even when my heart is breaking,

He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,

More than all in Him I find.

He has granted me forgiveness,

I am His, and He is mine.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end.