Praising God For Hope

O Lord, you alone are my hope.

I’ve trusted you, O LORD, from childhood.

Yes, you have been with me from birth;

from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.

No wonder I am always praising you!

My life is an example to many,

because you have been my strength and protection.

That is why I can never stop praising you;

I declare your glory all day long.

Psalm 71:5-8

This prayer may be from the aging King David, who looked back over his life and praised God for being ever present throughout his life. He thanked God for comforting and protecting him in his youth when almost everyone had abandoned him, as well as for upholding him in his old age. The essence of David’s experience with God was hope. God gave him hope when everything else was going wrong.

How would you describe God’s role in your life thus far? As the one who saves? strengthens? comforts? Through prayer, we can daily communicate our hope in God and reaffirm our love for him.

• Dear Lord, you alone are my hope. I trust in you . . .