Hope -- Day 2

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.

 Psalm 25:5

As I am pondering the topic of hope on this, Day 2 of my quest, I happened upon this lovely verse, Psalm 25:5. I began thinking about what it means to hope in God all day long, and I quickly realized how I fall so short of the mark here. 

I have hope in other things besides God. I really don’t want to think that I do, but it is the truth.

I hope that my broken elbow will stop hurting so I can get back to a normal routine.

I hope that I make a good meal for my husband and the house gets cleaned.

I hope that the bank account can stay full enough to pay the bills this month.

I hope that my children will call me.

I hope that the work I have to do to prepare for my University class will go smoothly.

I could go on and on and on.

There are many other places that I place my hope, yet the Psalmist is telling us to put our hope in Him alone.  It is when we do this, that we are guided by His truth and His teachings. 

He is God my Savior.  What am I saved from?

I am saved from the agony of physical pain, the monotony of everyday life, the tyranny of finances, the fear of broken relationships, the nagging lies of not being worthy or good enough.  Again, the list could continue forever.

The point is – as we place our hope in Him and Him alone, the other stuff just falls into place. 

I know when the angst of life gets a hold of me, it is a strong cue to reconnect. That gnawing feeling is evidence that I have traveled away from the vine and am not abiding there.  When I remember the proper order—God first, then the other stuff, all of the negativity seems to vanish, and what may have looked like overwhelming problems are now in balance once again.

It is a simple thing.  My hope is in You, Lord—all day long. It is really that simple!