...HOPE in the Lord...

I have always loved Psalm 51 because it is the prayer of one who is so HOPEFUL and ENCOURAGED by turning to the Lord:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,and put a new and right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence,and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and sustain in me a willing spirit” Psalm 51:10-12.

This Psalm was obviously written by someone with great HOPE. Who else would turn to God and pray for a “clean heart” and a “new and right spirit?”

Who else but someone with great HOPE would turn to the Lord for “Your presence” and “Your Holy Spirit?” Who else but one with great HOPE would turn to the Lord for the “restoration of joy” and a “Sustaining and willing spirit?”

Look at the verbs in these verses! They are verbs of HOPE:

“Create…clean…do not cast me away or take away…restore and sustain!”

This Psalm — and all the Psalms —  are words of people who HOPE in the Lord!

So in your prayer, tell the Lord today:

= “I HAVE GREAT HOPE IN YOU, LORD, HELP ME WHEN MY HOPE FADES.”

= “I HAVE GREAT HOPE IN YOU, LORD, CLEAN MY HEART AND GIVE ME A NEW & GOOD SPIRIT.”

= “I HAVE GREAT HOPE IN YOU, LORD, PULL ME INTO YOUR PRESENCE AND FILL ME WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT.”

= “I HAVE GREAT HOPE IN YOU, LORD, RESTORE MY JOY AND SUSTAIN MY SPIRIT.”

Dear friends, take time today in the presence of the Lord, and whatever is weighing you down — bring this to the Lord. Tell the Lord that you have great HOPE in Him to help you with whatever you are concerned or struggling with.

Lord, fill me with HOPE in You today. Let my tired spirit be restored, and exchange my spirit with Your Holy Spirit. Let my words and prayers of HOPE bring peace to my heart and soul. Restore and sustain my HOPE in You! In Your name, I pray, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen!

Remember these lyrics from the old, beloved hymn, “Abide With Me.”

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.When other helpers fail and comforts flee,Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need Your presence every passing hour.What but your grace can foil the tempter's power?Who, like Yourself, my guide and stay can be?Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

Abide With Me are simply words — a prayer — of HOPE!