“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:1-5
This photo was taken probably 4 miles east of Dondon, Haiti not too far from the Citadel. A family member had passed probably the day before and here we see the body is being carried to the neighborhood cemetery where it will be placed in the family crypt. When I would see funeral processions such as this I would often wonder, usually verbally, were they a Christian or a vodou follower; there is a huge difference. Usually within a group of Christian mourners there would be at least one person carrying a Bible. I always wondered if they departed had their faith on the Solid Rock or sinking in shaky sand. I assume that if you are reading this you are a believer and if not, where is your Hope found? Knowing Jesus causes us to feel richly blessed, at peace and always thankful for another day to serve our Lord and Savior. Trusting in Jesus gives us bright hope for tomorrow and beyond. May He be in your heart today. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘My Hope is built on nothing less’ that were written by Edward Mote in 1834.
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. His oath, His covenant, and blood support me in the whelming flood; when every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in Him be found, clothed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay