“And Hope Does Not Disappoint Us” (Romans 4:18-5:11)
When things in life, no longer nice,
Disintegrate, faith does suffice
To carry us through doom and gloom,
Though time flows by, ’fore nice resumes.Persuaded God has power enough
To follow through His promised stuff,
We carry on, on Kingdom layer,
As we live out for others, prayer.But, sadly, sometimes faith dissolves
As time flows on, and nothing’s solved;
Still, hope is there – from character
Which perseverance has bestirred –With suffering its fountain bright –
Left foot in front of one that’s right,
Then right again – each shovelful
Gets dug, and pitched – it’s a wonder-full.We persevere along faith’s path,
Then hope picks up is needed slack;
But even there, when time is right,
Love carries us when things get tight.For God poured out His love in us
Through Holy Spirit’s presence – ’nuff
To get us through, we persevere
Three ways, though pathway is not clear.And prayer? We for the God-less die,
Like Christ in us, our King on high,
A channel made for Spirit’s power
To work release from Satan’s hour.Faith, hope, and love – three gifts God gives,
That we might help our brothers live,
And sisters to – he leads the way
’Till we arrive at judgment day –Where He will ask (my guess, that is),
“How did you do with Kingdom biz?”
Did you remain behind (in faith)
A wall of stone, accept your fate?“Or did you press on to the end?
Find answers why things would not bend
To thought, and care, and great resource,
’Till dawning’s cry – ‘I see! Of course!’For had you persevered – that way
To ferret out, it would have paid –
So, soldier on, be not afraid –
A Kingdom-layer for you is laid.”Faith, hope, and love, on Kingdom layer,
Are there for us, with tool of prayer;
Grace to press on, not just sustain
Our feeble strength, and life maintain.Lord, I complain, whine at my course,
As things unfold, look to remorse
As sole solution to my plight –
Repentance then to make things right.But that, this time, is not the case –
We persevere, run out our race
Like Paul, Apostle years ago,
On Kingdom layer, not here below.Relief that brought me – Lord, I saw –
With limbs freed up in life that’s raw,
We move ahead with swimmer’s stroke,
Held up on layer – once I awoke.Now strokes I learn – efficiency
Sustained by Kingdom-layer – in Thee;
We persevere – faith, hope, and love
Three tools of prayer – graced from above.Thanks Lord for this.
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