Hope for a Better ???

Ps.33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.

2010 starts up and many hope for better things, financially, compared to 2009. Rumors have it that much of the country is starting an upward trend and maybe the NW is just a bit behind. Well, who knows if any of that it true? Can we see better days ahead? Can we exhale a little bit? Can we relax now?

In the world today our "war-horse", our "large army" is often our bank acct. and does it save? We could have an amazing 2010 and have it all turn around again in one day- there are no guarantees except when our hope is in the Lord. All other trusts are like going into battle with a paper shield.

Our only hope is in the Rock of our Salvation. He may take all else away from us and leave us with Himself and that is more than enough, but often when times are beginning to improve we can find ourselves, at least I can, resting again in other places instead of our only true Resting Place.

Father increase our affections toward You this year and may we trust only in Your steadfast love. I am inclined to rest in other things- things that quickly fail- and You alone can keep my heart fixed on all that You are. Please give me a heart inclined only to You. Work mightily in all our hearts that we might be a people that love You and Your Word most of all. You know we are but dust and are inclined to wandering, but You can keep us fixed on all that You are even in our frailty. Do this mighty work in Your people so that we can only look back and give You praise for what You have done- knowing it doesn't come from us. You alone are worthy to be praise- show off Your great power in the lives of Your people. We hope in The Great Hope.