Hope

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.
Lamentations 3:34

Whatever hard things we suffer, we must never entertain any hard thoughts of God, but must still be ready to own that He is both kind and faithful. That God is, and ever will be, the all sufficient happiness of His people, and they have chosen Him and depend upon Him to be such.

When I have lost all I have in the world, liberty, and livelihood, and almost life itself, yet I have not lost interest in God. Portions on earth are perishing things, but God is a portion forever.

While I have an interest in God, therein I have enough; I have that which is sufficient to counter-balance all my troubles and make up all my losses. Whatever we are robbed of, our portion is safe.

Therefore will I hope in Him: I will stay myself upon Him, and encourage myself in Him, when all other supports and encouragements fail me. It is our duty to make God the portion of our souls, and then to make use of Him as our portion and to take the comfort of it in the midst of our lamentations. (Matthew Henry)

Several years ago I went on a mission trip to Uruguay and was advised to start a journal. I use this journal to record verses and commentary that are speaking to me. My journal is literally a devotion booklet that I add to as God reveals things that are pertinent to myself.

I was thinking about that man in Texas who had no hope and decided to end his own life, with the intention of taking others with him. God has promised that if we place our hope only in Him; it will be enough. He never promised a life of ease for the believer while on this earth; but in the world to come. He does offer peace and happiness within ourselves if He is our portion.

In order for Him to be our portion; we have to have a relationship with Him. This involves the realization that Christ died for our sins on the cross. Praying and asking Him into our hearts to be Lord and Saviour. Admitting to Him that we are sinners and there is no hope outside of Him. It's that simple--but simplicity can become clouded with our own perceptions and rationalizations.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16