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Keep Hope Alive

Okonkwo remembered that tragic year with a cold shiver throughout the rest of his life. It always surprised him when he thought of it later that he did not sink under the load of despair. He knew that he was a fierce fighter, but that year had been enough to break the heart of a lion.
"Since I survived that year," he always said, "I shall survive anything." Things Fall Apart_Chinua Achebe

I heard someone say that when we are long gone, our great
grandchildren will say of our time;

Their world was suddenly stricken by a strange disease.
It had no cure.
Many fell under its unrelenting grip.

When it had run its course, men clasped their hands,
glad that they had survived.
From the chocking confines of their homes they emerged,
wearied by months of being hemmed in.

They looked up and sighed,

At least the sun was still there. But then,
some picked up guns.
A great battle broke out. No one could stop the war.

Many were killed,
much more than they had thought possible.
And when they were done, they looked at each other,
Ashamed.
For so many had died, for so little gain.

Then they looked up again, their eyes straining to see,
Their aching hearts yearning for relief.
But alas!
From one horizon to another,
one could only hear,
The rambling gathering of a fiercer storm.

My concerns are;
Will our story end well or will we be pummelled into
oblivion?
Will our children enjoy the fruits of our labor or will the
scorching fires of adversity wither our efforts?
Will we ever rise again to peace, health and,
lower 'chapo' prices?

My questions remain;
Who will bring us hope?
Who will bring us peace?
Who will give us sleep and save us from anxious mornings?

Who will call us back to sanity?
Who will give us respite?
Who will say, " Enough! Give them a little relief."

Perhaps, with no relief in sight, our answers can only be
found in prayer. The other day I saw a man falling to his knees and pray. A man of few words, even in the presence of his maker.
"I have no hope,
I have no peace,
Beyond that which,
You only-
Can give me!"


It was a short but profound prayer. The image of that man casting off all restraint and crying out to his God stayed with me a long time. I thought to myself, "This man, though he has lost much, has his heart in the right place." He will find peace for Christ is,

The Prince of Peace(Isaiah 9:6 ).

I also thought to myself, " This man has put God in the
right place".
He has a steadfast faith in the capability of God to protect
and maintain him at the worst of times.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6

"I have no hope, I have no peace beyond that which, you
only, can give," he said. 
From the depths of his being, he poured out his heart to God. He had no other to lean upon. It was all God or all nothing. 

So let me say this now; it will be harder still but the sooner you get to this man’s point, the better. You see my friend,
When you will have nothing to lose and only your faith to keep, then you will truly be, A Free Man!

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
And finally,
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.



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