Hope's Happiness

Ps.144:15

Happy are the people who are in such a state;
Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!

Ps.146:5-6

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,

Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6Who made heaven and earth,

The sea, and all that is in them;

Who keeps truth forever,...

Hope reminds us of a debt owed but God's provision paid

And goads us on to rejoice in this day that He has made

To be a glad bondservant for the Lord of earth and sky

Then, find a kind of happiness no words can quite descry

(from My Utmost For His Highest-Oswald Chambers)

Hope’s hailing happiness endures, though disappointment-vexed

Hope cheers us onward and secures the anchor of the Soul

Beyond the realm of seasons that roll one into the next

Hope draws us to the Reason for its undefeated goal

And hones a humble foothold in the promises of He

Who helps us where new day unfolds whatever waits to be

Hope’s holy happiness delights the heart that trusts in God

Its precious confidence invites, nay, excites us to be

A vessel in His hands; the hands that rule sky, sea and sod

A vessel heeding His commands with unfeigned fealty

To love Him with heart-soul-strength-mind, and neighbour as ourself

As, filled with his Spirit we find the riches of hope’s wealth

Hope’s humble happiness reminds us we have all we need

As tick by tock the clock unwinds tethers of dust-to-dust

As we embark once more upon missions of word and deed

Hope’s sacred summons spurs us on toward the One we trust

Rousing in us renewed distress for vessels still adrift

Unanchored in the happiness of Hope; salvation’s gift

© Janet Martin