St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“In God our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.” (Psalm 33 v 21)

Oh the light of happiness the Lord Jesus brings to us is bright indeed, all thanks, praise and highest glory ever be shared and openly expressed.

“Though we have not seen Christ, we love Him and even though we do not see Him now, we believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” (based on 1 Peter 1 v 8, 9 NIV) a full life experience.

In addition, we live with the sure hope of heaven, an eternity in holy company, rejoicing to be with the Trinity. This is the completion of the rescue won for us by the Lord Jesus, for we “Are receiving the goal of

our faith the salvation of our souls.” (based on v 9)

Such is Your extraordinary mercy, Lord God. Loving mercy reflects Your personality and this is shown to us through the life and death of Your Son, the One we name ‘Jesus’.

We call Him by this name because He comes from heaven to earth as the Divine Healer, ever at work to redeem us from sinfulness, as the Holy Spirit sets about purifying and sanctifying us.

May we co-operate completely, repenting of the errors of our ways. “... I delight greatly in the LORD, my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe

of righteousness,” (Isaiah 61 v 10 NIV) in receiving the Lord Jesus.

Without our Saviour Brother, there is no hope of a deep, abiding happiness now, to be followed by the joy of the Trinity eternally. The love of the Lord Jesus makes all the difference in the world to us.

Your Spirit will remind us Father God, that unless we align our will with Yours, as shown to us by the Lord Jesus, we will have no hope of seeing Your glory unfolding amongst us. This is serious.

Glory is us come fully alive in our faith, devoting to Your will and way as shown to us and shared with us, dearest Father, in, by and through the Spirit of Your beloved Son, zealously at work.

He is the Spirit of hope, encouraging us to trust and depend upon You, through getting to know Jesus, forming a special, deep and eternally meaningful relationship with Him.

Herein is our hope, peace and joy, all made possible for us to experience though our relationship with each Person of the Trinity both individually and collectively.

We must learn to hand over each day to be under the instruction of the Master, that which is given in all wisdom and truth. The Holy Spirit is our Instructor, a Counsellor guiding our mind, heart, will and conscience.

We have to draw near to You, Father God, by getting to know, love and honour our Brother, always, but always calling on the Holy Spirit, that we receive the strengthening support of holy love.

I am reminded of the opening line of a hymn ‘Eternal Father, quick to save’ as I awake today to have to face a most serious problem. I am so very, very grateful to know You gift me Your Son and Your Spirit to

comfort and support, thank You, Lord God.

The Trinity is my trust and security, of this is am sure. As we are told that all things work together for the good of those who love You, Father God, I wonder what good I will see arising out of this calamity I face.

Perhaps it will be a deepening of trust, as You help to sort out this difficult challenge. Do I still need to learn that You are the only One – One in Three that is – who ultimately can keep me safe?

Thank You that I can come to You to talk about the problems and difficulties, my concerns, my fears, but always expressing my trust, hoping to see this growing stronger. I know You never leave us as orphans to struggle on our own.

Thank You that trust both gives rise to hope and rebuts satan, especially when we pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, a name satan has to flee from. Does this happen because he, the arch deceiver and father of lies

cannot bear to look truth in the face and Jesus is absolute and universal truth?

The Lord Jesus reveals Your unfailing love to us as the Holy Spirit impels our thoughts, our understanding,

appreciation and decision making, making us want to draw closer to You. Thank You for the hope which earmarks our friendship with the Saviour.

“You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth,” (Psalm 71 v 5 Niv)

but this is still growing through all sorts of circumstances and challenges. May Your Spirit, the Spirit who always bears good fruit, help me to tackle today’s distress with loving patience, compassion and concern for all who are involved. A fruit of the Spirit is “Love, joy, peace, patience...” (Galatans 5 v 23) thank You.

“May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You.” (Psalm 33 v 22

NIV) Please be with all the people and parties involved, helping us to sort out the problem as You look upon us favourably.

I have every good reason to trust, as You have already “Delivered us from such a deadly peril,” (2 Corinthians 1 v 10) that of isolation without any hope of salvation. I believe that You will deliver us from this wrong, this acute anxiety, because we know Father, You are a Deliverer.

We look to the †of the Lord Jesus and see this. On You as a Trinity we set our hope, our confidence, our expectancy of help, our trust in Your mercy and our total dependency through Christ Jesus. He comes to the

aid of all who pray.

“I have put my hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4v 10 personalised) My hope springs from the unfailing love of the One who is closest to Your Father heart of love, Lord God.

“Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD,” (Psalm 144 v 15 NIV) “Make me walk along the paths of Your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” (Psalm 119 v 35 NLT) “Reach down from heaven and rescue me; rescue me from deep waters” (Psalm 144 v 7 NLT) as I go into

today. I place all my hope in You, thanking You for the gift of faith which gives rise to hope. Thank You for all that You are and all You do. Amen.