The Hope You Have in You

Good morning friends,

I wonder if you are feeling it’s a good morning for you?

One of the things I like about my living quarters is that my bed is situated to that I can look out of the window.

Because I am upstairs I never bother to close my curtains, and so every morning I can see the dawn rising. There’s something quite awesome about waking when it’s still dark and seeing the light breaking through the darkness. It remains me of the fact that no matter what’s going on in the world, or my life, which can have many ups and downs, twists and changes, some things remain constant.

When I see the light beginning to break I give thanks for God’s protection overnight and give thanks for the new day beginning.

I am reminded of words from the O.T. Lamentations 3:22-23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

At this time of year there is no dawn chorus from the birds, but I know as soon as spring starts to unfold the birds will be singing away.

I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed that the dawn chorus always begins while it is still dark? The birds seem to have an inbuilt sense that the darkness is just about to end, and they just can’t stop singing.

Springtime a year ago saw us entering the first lockdown as the pandemic began to take its hold. And all through that spring and summer and autumn and now winter we have held onto the hope that we will get through these difficult days. And, of course we will.......... for this too will pass. Meantime we hold fast to the hope that is within us, carefully singing while it is still dark knowing that the dawn is coming.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I worship Your holy name

The sun comes up; it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes ( Matt Redman)