Fourth Meditation
(Fourth Conversation)

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." (1)


Nurtured By Hope

Hope nurtures, with His graces' might:
The roots to sink deep in the soil;
The shoots to stretch to heaven's height --
Hope is purpose for task and toil.

Hope helps her heart sink deep into
The truth of her reality;
She holds each task to see it through --
Serving Him with humility.

Hope stretches her heart to the height
Of her goal -- the Lord, who employs
So many means to lift her sight
To Him alone -- He's all her joys.

Through hope, worship becomes the way:
In spirit and truth, she can serve
Him, in all tasks, throughout each day,
With joy the hallmark of her verve.

He's the fulfilment of her soul;
All else is means to reach her Goal.

May the Spirit instill a living and enduring hope in our hearts so that we may strive to reach the goal He has laid out before us.