Remember to hope

Sunday March 14, 2021

Remember to hope

“Bless the Lord, my soul ! May all that is in me bless his holy name ! Bless the Lord my soul, and do not forget any of his blessings !” Psalm 103. 1, 2

At the end of the year, let us relive in our memories, one by one, some of the blessings with which God has bestowed us and let us say our gratitude to him.

In this psalm, David makes no request, but gives himself many reasons to bless God : “It is he who forgives all your faults, who heals all your diseases. It is he who delivers your life from the grave, who crowns you with kindness and compassion. It is he who satisfies you with good things in your old age, who makes you rejuvenate like the eagle” (Psalm 103. 3-5). In turn, let us think about the blessings that have come in our own lives. Let us think of material goods : housing, clothing, food... Let us think of the Lord's care and protection to protect us from accidents, unfortunate decisions, bad meetings, etc.

But grounds for recognition may be difficult to find by those who are experiencing, or have experienced, severe hardship in the past year. Their plight may be too heavy a weight to give them full freedom for praise. Let us support them concretely and by prayer. Let us encourage them and help them realize that, even in the midst of great trials, we can remember the bounties of the Lord and find reasons for hope. This is what the prophet Jeremiah experienced when he could say in the midst of his persecutions : “This is what I want to ponder in order to have hope : the bounties of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not ended ; they are renewed every morning. How great is your loyalty ! I declare that the Lord is my good, therefore I will wait on him” (Lamentations. 3: 21-24). The mercies of God are never exhausted and they are adapted to the needs of each day. This is why the Christian life is linked as much to hope as to remembering.

First and foremost, let us remember “Jesus, the risen Messiah” (2 Timothy. 2. 8). He came to this world to “seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19. 10). He has found us and he will come back to take us to him. “This saying is certain : if we died with him, we will also live with him ; if we persevere, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy. 2:11, 12).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)