Thursday, January 14, 2010

All My Hope on God is Founded

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

As I've been reading through the Old Testament, that verse from Romans springs to my mind often. I find that reading the stories from the Old Testament confirm anew in my head and my heart the faithfulness and goodness of God. These stories are rich in examples of how He protected and provided for His people. His plan for their ultimate deliverance is threaded throughout these great stories - and this gives me great hope! All my hope on God is founded because I know He has a plan for my life and that He is working it out day by day, all for the ultimate purpose of making me more like the image of His Son!

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28

Just as this hymnwriter expresses, He guides us through change and chance, calling our hearts to be His own.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:11-12

God's great wisdom does indeed endure - from the time that He created the Earth until the last days that we are living in now, we see examples of His wisdom every day in our lives.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Romans 11:33

I praise Him for His wisdom - I may not understand His plans for my life but I know that He will guide and direct and work out each detail for my ultimate sanctification.

All My Hope on God is Founded
Words by Joachim Neander

All my hope on God is founded;
He doth still my trust renew,
Me through change and chance He guideth,
Only good and only true.
God unknown, He alone
Calls my heart to be His own.

Pride of man and earthly glory,
Sword and crown betray His trust;
What with care and toil He buildeth,
Tower and temple fall to dust.
But God’s power, hour by hour,
Is my temple and my tower.

God’s great goodness aye endureth,
Deep His wisdom, passing thought:
Splendor, light and life attend him,
Beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore from His store
Newborn worlds rise and adore.

Daily doth th’almighty Giver
Bounteous gifts on us bestow;
His desire our soul delighteth,
Pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand at His hand;
Joy doth wait on His command.

Still from man to God eternal
Sacrifice of praise be done,
High above all praises praising
For the gift of Christ, His Son.
Christ doth call one and all:
Ye who follow shall not fall.

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