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.

God's Changeless Promises

This photo is taken from a hill close to my brother and sister-in-law's place

about 10 min. from our house and though I see the view often it NEVER disappoints! 

Psalm 145:13

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 

and your dominion endures through all generations. 

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

When we are troubled what better, than to kneel at the cross.

Kneel at the Cross-Jim and Jesse

 

For all we wish we could return, beneath life’s testing rod

Tis in life’s challenges we learn the faithfulness of God

In the valley where gloom may try our joy to overthrow

His changeless promises reply, hope and peace to bestow

The beauty and goodness of God abounds, for aye. Amen

Each of His attributes confounds the best of mortal ken

Then, though we do not understand the reason of His thought

His changeless promises command our worship, do they not?

How often in my worry I forget to humbly trust

God is not in a hurry as He tames our willful dust

But plies, with love that will not fail, that which draws us to Him

His changeless promises prevail, beyond our wildest whim

How proud would be our prayer, but for the trial and the tear

But for the creature care that binds us to His listening ear

Then in each sorrow we confide, He whispers as we plead

‘My changeless promises abide, ah, what more do you need?’

© Janet Martin

Psalm 31:19

Oh, how great is Your goodness, 

Which You have laid up for those who fear You,

 Which You have prepared for those who trust in You 

In the presence of the sons of men!

This Little Flicker of a Tree

 

Sometimes dread tries to drive a wedge between joy and hope’s promises

Sometimes it tries to trump the pledge of mercy’s renewed faithfulness

Or darken the doorway of dawn with doubt and fear for the unknown

Until I hear the voice of One who whispers ‘You are not alone’

Sometimes the weight of creature care could rob me of would-be delight

Love’s load in constant need of prayer, life’s road a walk by faith, not sight

Sometimes the winds and waves of love could defeat courage thoroughly

Until I am reminded of ‘no longer I, but Christ in me’

Sometimes a formless enemy hisses and kindles vain debate

This liar tries to threaten me with Logic while God whispers ‘wait’

Where sometimes discouragement bends this little flicker of a tree

Until I cry to God who sends angels to minister to me

© Janet Martin

Jer.17:5-8

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

who draws strength from mere flesh

and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;

they will not see prosperity when it comes.

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

in a salt land where no one lives.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

8 They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

This cross in the sky felt like a tangible whisper this morning!!

Psalm 147:1

Praise[a] the Lord!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

God's Precious Promises- Dr. Charles Stanley

Divine Intervention

The Creator of all we marvel at is our Divine Intervener/Interceder! Hallelujah!

How oft despair would gain a fateful foothold in my thought (Ps.43:5)

And bind my mind and spirit in chains where doubt and fear rue

And leave me floundering in bogs of misery, guilt-wrought

But for the lifeline of God’s promises, faithful and true (Heb.10:23)

From age to age His Word abides to cheer and edify (1 Pet.1:25)

To convict and correct, to comfort, exhort and command (2 Tim:316)

To whisper to the storm-tossed bark, ‘Fear not, for it is I’ (John 6:20,Matt.14:27)

To equip me with armor that will evil's wiles withstand  (Eph.6:13)

His manna for my wilderness, ( Deut.8:3) His grace to save my soul (Eph.2:8)

His ear to hear my prayer, (1 Pet.3:12) his righteousness to call my own (2 Cor.5:21)

‘When I am weak, then am I strong’ (2 Cor.12:10) ‘thy faith hath made thee whole’ (Matt.9:22)

Living Water to quench my thirst, ( John 4:14) His life-blood to atone (Eph.1:7)

His Word, a lamp unto my feet, a beacon pure and sure (Ps.119:105)

Where darkness would pervade without the Light sent from above (1 John 2:8)

For joy still set before us, He beckons us to endure (Heb.12:2)

Through His power, purpose and peace, goodness, mercy and love (2 Pet.1:3)

Heavens declare His glory,(Ps.19:1) and His glory fills the earth  (Isa.6:3)

His invisible qualities by creation proclaimed  (Rom.1:20)

His plan for man’s salvation, (Matt.1:21) for repentance (Mark 1:15) and rebirth  (John3:3)

Wrought through His sacred suffering, (John 3:16) yielding hope unashamed  (Rom5.5)

His cross to draw all men to Him so we may be set free (John 12:32)

His death to pay sin’s debt, His resurrection to fulfill (1 Cor.15)

His prophecy, to conquer death and hell; His victory

Has overthrown the grave because He braved His Father’s will (Luke 22:42)

His peace past understanding, (Phil.4:7) and His Mystery revealed (Col.1:26)

His all-sufficient grace (2Cor.12:9) to help us to trust and obey (Prov.3:5-6)

His Mighty Hand pierced through with nails; by His wounds we are healed  (Isa.53:5)

His Everlasting Presence promised each step of the way (Josh.1:5)

How oft despair could gain a dread-filled death grip on my heart (Ps. 42:5)

And draw me from the Well where Life’s undeterred waters brim (Isa.55:1)

But, God is rich in mercy (Eph.2:4) and He helps us do our part (Heb.13:6)

To deny self, take up His cross and humbly follow Him (Matt.16:24)

© Janet Martin

Lamentations 3:20

Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me.

His Word Will Stand

Redemption-wrought Renewal

Surely all the suffering of sorrow, sickness, loss

would get the best of us without God's comfort through the cross

Praise Him; the best this life affords is free to one and all

Salvation through the sacrifice that saves us from The Fall

and breaks the curse of death and hell the hour we believe

renewing faith's hope day by day, through life yet to receive

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world 

that He gave His only begotten Son,

 that whoever believes in Him 

should not perish 

but have everlasting life.

2 Cor.4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Even though our outward man is perishing, 

yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

 while we do not look at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Renewed day by day

Where challenges we face

Would draw hope’s anchored joy away

Without God’s love and grace

Without His promises

To cheer our mortal clay

Without His perfect no and yes

To comfort as we pray

Without the confidence

Of Him, in full control

Without Calvary’s Providence

To save the deathless soul

...till the dark glass between

Faith and Sight melts away

The glory of what/Who is Unseen

Renews us day by day

© Janet Martin

Standing on the Promises of God

Because He Lives- David Crowder

Sweet Comfort and Joy

Psalm 139:5

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

In our small group bible/sermon studies through our church, last night

we were contemplating the verse below and how we can be mightily transformed in our

thinking and actions if we truly take God at His word!

Heb.13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, 

because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

In today's Daily Bread Devotion  we are reminded

 that no one knows what will happen!

Life is always full of uncertainties.

God and his Word the one constant certainty!

Hallelujah!

God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

What sweet comfort and joy

Before, behind, beside

A safeguard nothing can destroy

Shields us from evil’s tide

Where, though storms ebb and flow

And oft we weep and groan

What sweet comfort and joy to know

We are never alone

Dear one, do not despair

No matter what betide

God keeps us in His faithful care

Before, behind, beside

No foe can penetrate

The bulwark of His Word

No guard on earth can compensate

For God’s arm undeterred

What He says He will do

His vow is bona fide

He accompanies me and you

Before, behind, beside

Nothing seen can compare

To the peace faith receives

As humble trust turns into prayer

And utterly believes

How near The Unseen draws

As sweet comfort and joy

Transcends The Seen with hope because

Of what none can destroy

© Janet Martin

Isa. 40:28

Do you not know?

 Have you not heard? 

The LORD is the everlasting God, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary,

 and his understanding no one can fathom.

Morning Flowers...

 

Morning metes its sweet Beginning

Mist-burnished petals unfold

From night’s nebulous bud thinning

Until Time is blush and gold

Flushed with mercy to behold

Like a lily, dew-anointed

Fresh from the Creator’s hand

Darkness fades; hope’s reappointed

Brigades wade until they stand

On shores of star-dust and sand

Strewing in the wake of slumber

Daybreak’s diamond studded world

Where the cares of life encumber

Where faith’s warfare is unfurled

Morning flowers, promise-pearled

© Janet Martin

God's word overflows with wonderful promises that He will keep!

A few promise-pearls to pin to today's To-Do's/dues

Lam.3:22-23

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed,

 for His mercies never fail. 

23They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

1 Thess.5:24

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

2 Pet.3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. 

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, 

but everyone to come to repentance.

Psalm 144:15

Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

Isa.26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace, 

Whose mind is stayed on You, 

Because he trusts in You.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation;

 but be of good cheer,

 I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ 

and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives His people strength; 

the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Heb.13:5

Let your conversation be without covetousness; 

and be content with such things as ye have: 

for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Heb.13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God are "Yes" in Christ.

 And so through Him, our "Amen" is spoken to the glory of God.

Living With An Almost-Heaven Viewpoint

 Beulah Land

Yesterday's post Sing a Song of Almost Heaven

turned my train of thought down a slightly different track today...

Living with an Almost Heaven Viewpoint shifts our point of view

Makes us more aware of caring about death’s approaching due

Keeps us keened to what is promised that will forever endure

Rather than the cross upon us or temptation’s dangling lure

Time is such a fleeting measure, just a vapor, my dear friend

The soul is the single treasure that will final breath transcend

No matter where feet may take us or what success we may boast

‘Almost Heaven’s viewpoint tunes us to The Thing that Matters Most

What a joy when we envision as we pay Devotion’s Price

Jesus standing where the mission of true love is sacrifice

Jesus smiling as we smile back while we give and give and give

Because Almost Heaven waits after this little life we live

© Janet Martin

Matt.25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me.

To Know Makes All the Difference (for the Unknown)

Who knows what Come-what-may waits to unfold today...

(well!! one unknown unfolded already;

 An unexpected day off due to two sick tots)

Here are a few fond frames of yesterday

Side note on photo below: while we 'swang' we sang every song we could think of...

including what might be the longest version of Old MacDonald's Farm ever known 😂

The Knowing keeps dark deeps of Come-What-May in tender check

Morning unmoors the bark of Day with renewed call and beck

Where none can see what waits to be, but He who spreads the skies

Where no sudden calamity His will can compromise

(or, where no sudden calamities can take Him by surprise)

His promises are like a bulwark where dread’s fathoms roll

To know God keeps his every Word comforts the fainting soul

Nothing can separate us from His love that will not fail

He will never forsake us though the glove of faith grows frail

To know He, Whom we have believed is faithful to the end

And though so often we have grieved Him, still, He is our Friend

To know when we confess our sin He forgives and forgets

To know His Spirit dwells within to help us face veiled ‘yets’

To know 'surely His goodness and His mercy follows me'

Grants courage when the darkness of Unknown rolls like a sea

To know His gentle Presence crowns the vale of death’s release

To know He cups both ups and downs bestows hope, joy and peace

© Janet Martin

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 

that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I Know Whom I Have Believed

  

What Ifs Versus What Is...

He who promised is faithful.

Heb.10:23

A flower isn't a flower until the bud unfolds the bloom!

What Is in bloom now?

Peonies in the flower garden!

And the Flower of What Is, in life...

The ‘what ifs’ of regret cannot undo what has been done

Where What Is sets time’s tables with fresh favors, mercy-spun

What if instead of wishing for what no wish can undo

We make the most of what is within reach of me and you

God’s mercy new each morning and His all-sufficient grace

Forgiveness for repentance, and His Word to gird our faith

What if instead of fretting and forgetting favours wrought

We focus on remembering What Is, with grateful thought

What if we trusted He who will our every need supply

Where What Is always hinges to far more than meets the eye

Far more goodness and mercy than mortal can comprehend

And love that has no boundaries of beginning or end

The ‘what ifs’ of yesterday and tomorrow borrow care

Today is overflowing with what is enough to bear

What if we take what is, in spite of so much that is not

And humbly honor He who gives us everything we've got

His everlasting promises, His love that will not fail

His wind beneath our wings, His anchor in the galling gale

The ‘what ifs’ of regret are futile; this new day set free

Is brimming with what is waiting for us to ‘taste and see’

What if we love God first and our neighbour next because

What is still most important has always been these two laws

Then what if we rely on He who is in full control

And simply love Him with all of our heart and mind and soul

© Janet Martin

Not all 'what ifs' are 'if onlys'

Sometimes What If is the spark that kindles the dream/bud before the flower!

Originally, the second line in this poem was

'Where What Is sets time’s tables with fresh battles to be won'

but the more I pondered (though the battles are real and often grueling)

the battlefield is cradled in His mercy!

His redemption is complete!

His loving kindness faithful!

Psalm 34:8

O taste and see that the Lord is good: 

blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 100:5

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Phil.4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable—

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things.

The Place Prepared (For We Who Believe)

 The Cleft of the Rock

Unto the Hills

Let not your heart be troubled

Through storms that toss life’s sea

My word is true; I have gone to

Prepare a place for thee

I am Thy tender Shepherd

And Lamb of Calvary

Do not despair; beyond life’s care

The place prepared for thee

Take up thy cross with courage

Though harsh the way may be

Each step, each tear, each prayer draws near

The place prepared for thee

Let not your heart be troubled

If ye believe in Me

Love will not fail; death will unveil

The place prepared for Thee

Then worship Me with gladness

This present misery

Is but the woo that draws thee to

Thy place prepared; with Me

© Janet Martin

John 14:1-6

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 

2In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; 

if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you. 

3And if I go and prepare a place for you, 

I will come again and receive you to Myself; 

that where I am, there you may be also. 

4And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going,

 and how can we know the way?”

6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Because We Are His Loved Ones

 

As I pray for they who suffer great sorrow for the loss of loved ones, 

for those in war torn countries or

for those who suffer angst of concern for loved ones in war torn countries, 

for they who suffer the ravages of physical affliction, 

for they who must watch loved ones suffer

and oh, especially for they who have still not believed 

but reject the Saviour of the soul, 

( whose most beloved we are,)

for all who miss out on the joy this world cannot give

Again and again I cast my care on Him 

because He cares for you and me!

Sweet, sweet comfort in the midst of bitter grief!

We are not alone in our suffering...

'After we have suffered a while the God of all grace

who has called us unto His eternal glory

will perfect, strengthen, stablish and settle us!'

2 Pet. 1:10

Amen

Because He cares for me and you, whatever may befall

We need not fret; He’ll see us through our struggles, great and small

Because he bids us cast our every care before His throne

We need not worry for we never bear love’s cross alone

Because He is the Way, the Truth, the Life eternally

We need not join the fruitless strife of doubt’s futility

Because greater is He in us than he of worldly creed

We need not fear, but simply trust for He supplies our need

Because He honours those who honour Him, though scorner’s jeer

We need not let their insults dim the hope that we revere

Because He died so we may live, and bore our sin and shame

We need no purpose but to give all glory to His Name

Because God’s love runs deep and wider than thought’s farthest glim

All that we need He will provide as care is cast on Him

Because of faith’s established goal, though dark the strait between

Our need, the Saviour of the soul, will wholly intervene

Because our utter need is met in faith's redeeming hour

We need not fret; because the cross will never lose its power

© Janet Martin

1 Sam.2:30

But now the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me; 

for those who honor Me I will honor, 

and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

Far graver than the battle is an illusion of peace

Causing our souls to slumber while evil's armies applaud 

Far graver than war’s fearful horror's while death-tolls increase

Is walking, talking, laughing, living without fear of God

Far graver than faith's groaning as we stand on steadfast guard

Is the seductive courting of diversion's deadly dance

Far graver than the blood and tears that stain streets, sorrow-scarred

Are hands and feet, soft, smooth and lily white with ignorance 

Far graver than the suffering that rouses our pleas

For more than this world can bestow, is life without a care

For, graver than the crushing blow that brings us to our knees

Is living without ever bowing before God in prayer

© Janet Martin

In The Cross The Peterens