Above a world of hurt, hope unfurls the golden banner
of another day of grace;
the grace whereby we are saved from eternal righteous wrath to come!
Why righteous? see verse below
For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath,
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep,
Therefore encourage and build one another up,
just as you are already doing.
So much more than meets our vision, everybody knows
Longing, like a thorny pinion hoists the glorious rose
Morning, like a beaming matron flings dark shades ajar
Draws us from slumber’s oblivion to the way things are
Trouble’s tests of trust and courage never leave us long
God, with faithful love and mercy always leads us on
Hope, hinged to hardship and heartache vexes vanity
Like a rebel balks beneath Supreme Authority
Self must bow beneath the scepter of Hope’s gracious Lord
Where His word, like Eden’s nectar leaves our souls restored
For without Hope, Heaven-worthy,
where would mankind be?
God, with faithful love and mercy cares for you and me
We, inclined to nurse the foibles of want’s wish and whim
Without our share of troubles would not reach for Him
He, whose ways escape the logic of the mortal mind
Pleads, but does not pry the clenched fist, with laws
love-designed
Where His Word unfurls glimpses of more than meets the
eye
While His faithful love and mercy holds hope’s banner
high
© Janet Martin
