IN THE GARDEN OF DESPAIR: Living With Hope!

In The Realm Of Affliction

In The Garden Of Despair

I ... A Christian Faithful

To My Savior Will Repair!

In My Heart 
I Have Faith, Hope, Patience
Love, Resolve, And Sweet Joy

For I Am Determined To Live For Him

Whose Love For Me Has No Alloy!

I Am Not Alone ... Nor Lonely! 

He Who Calls Me Cares!

I Am Not Rejected: I Am Being Restored

And 
The Great Physician Is The Gardener

Who Tends Me 
And 
Over Me Sheds Great Tears!

I Am Encouraged!

I Have Hope That What Is

Is 
Not What Shall Be!

I Am Resolved To Remain Faithful

For In The Savior's Care I Am Blessed

Sheltered, Protected: What I Feel, He Feels!

Pruning Shears Are Not Comfortable!

Grafting Cuts Do Hurt!

Cleansing 
Is 
Often Embarrassing ... Awkward

Exposing The Hidden

Digging At The Roots Of My Sin

Sloughing Off The Drying, Dying, Dead Leaves Of 
Past Affections And Untoward Associations

Picking Off The Worms Of Willfulness

Waywardness, Wildness, Gainsaying
And 
Greed, Doubt, And Deceit

To Nurture Me To Enduring Faith

Willing Obedience

Heartfelt Prayer 
And
Humble Trust

To Reach For The Sun Of Righteousness

To Drink In The Rain ... The Water Of Wisdom

From The Sweet Spirit Of Truth

So That I Will Bear Fruit ... Sweet Fruit

And 
Not Be Fruitless ... Unproductive

Unprofitable

Useless!

I Have Free Will: I Choose To Submit To Him!

I Have Free Choice: I Choose To Let Him Fix Me

Heal Me, Save Me, Succor Me 
Seal Me And Secure Me Against The Storm Of Sin

The Quick-Sand Of Self

And
The Raging Sea That Is Satan! 

I Am ... I Have ... Resigned Myself From Being Own-Way:

Own-Sin Self-Pay 
Is 
Not The Profitable Way! 

I Have Accepted That I Am Profited 
By Being In His Holy, Sacrificial, Grace-Filled Care

For I Know By Experience That 
The Day Of Transplantation

Is 
Soon Here

And

My Soul's Desire Is To Go Where

He Has Said There Is A Place Personally Prepared For Me

Where All Is Love, Joy, Rest And Peace! 

I Shall Lie Down By The River Side:

No More Tears

No More Sorrow

No More Death

I Shall Forever Live

Immortal

Incorruptible

Glorified

At His Glorious Side

I Shall Abide! 

I Live In Hope ... With Hope ... Which Springs Eternal! 

Brethren,

It Is Because Of Known Sin That 
We Are Pilgrims And Strangers 

In A Strange Land

Exiled From The Holy Congregation Of 
The Family Of The Eternal God! 

Even Though We Are Away From Home

The God Of All Grace Has Given Us Something:
Something To Dream About

Something To Yearn For

Something Beautiful To Look Forward To 

And

His Blessed Promise Of Care And Conveyance 

To Get Us Safely There! 

Beloved, 

Keep Hope Alive! 

Be Faithful And Obedient! 

Look Up To The Hills

And 

Pray The Word: 

My Help

Comes From The Lord Jesus

My Shepherd

My God And My King! 

I Shall Walk Through This Valley

In His Care

And 

I Shall Reach Hill Zion Safety

And 

I Shall There And Rejoice ... Forever! 

Heaven Is My Home! 

The Lord Is On His Throne

And 

All Is Well! 

My Jesus Saves!