And I Will Walk at Liberty…

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,—2 Peter 1:2

Father…I so want Your grace and peace multiplied in my life. Oh, do this work and help me to live in submission to Your Spirit. Fill me with the wisdom and knowledge of Your Son as I read Your Word this morning.  Shine Your light of truth on those things that are not pleasing to You. Show me my sin, my selfishness and my entitlement!  Make room in my heart for someone other than me.  If there is bitterness or in forgiveness, help me to put it away.  I want to walk with You undefiled from and with a pure heart. 

 And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.—Psalm 119:45

The words at liberty literally mean in a wide place.  I will walk in a wide place...my manner of life will be of one that is free from hinderances and snares. These words describe someone who can lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares and run the race before them with endurance.  How?  By seeking His precepts...by keeping their heart, mind and soul focused on Jesus who is the very Word of God...  

Beloved, the truth of God’s word liberates us to walk in this world undefiled from the lies and deceit that abound in our own thinking and also in the world at large. Treasure it!   Surrender to it and allow yourself to be guided by it day by day!  Commit yourself to Him who judges righteously.  Your defense is of God who saves the upright in heart.  

The enemy of our souls wants to confine us, but God by His truth, sets us free and enlarges the very path under our feet.  The world would have us believe that obeying His laws keep us from enjoying our life.  But His word reminds us that commandments are NOT burdensome...they are for our good.  Obeying them brings blessing!  Obeying them sets us free to be more like who He created us to be.  Obeying them enables us to fulfill every purpose He has for our life. Moment by moment, we can and will run the way of His commandments, for He, by His Spirit who dwells in us, will give us hearts that are willing. 

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

And when you run, you will not stumble.—Prov 4:12

Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

"God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble."

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.—1 Peter 5:5b-7

Therefore, Humble Yourselves Under His Mighty Hand…

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.—1 Peter 5:6-7

But God is the Judge:

He puts down one,

And exalts another.—Psalm 75:8

John MacArthur says that the phrase under the mighty hand of God is an Old Testament symbol of the power of God working in the experience of men always accomplishing His sovereign purposes.  See (Ex. 3:19, 20; Job 30:20, 21; Ezek. 20:33, 37; Mic. 6:8).

Beloved…Isn’t this EXACTLY what you and I as believers want…the power of God working in us and through us…using every one of His divine attributes for our good and His glory.  Oh, Father, You must increase and I must decrease! Upon the humble You look. To the humble You give grace!  Help me then to be humble under Your mighty hand!  Help me to submit to You and leave all my cares in Your capable hands. You will…in Your perfect and appointed time…lift me up. 

God’s sovereign hand IS ALWAYS a comfort to my heart.  The Lord reigns!  Let the earth and all its people rejoice.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.  Blessed are the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.  There is a God, and His Divine providence brings comfort to those who put their trust in Him.  If God is for us who can be against us? Nothing happens to me or to you by chance...All that we go through phases through His hand and He overrules all for our good and His glory.  I forget this...I focus on those things that are seen and “forget” that my unseen Lord is at work, as Spurgeon says, “behind and within the cloud.”  God only is; all power belongs to him; all else is shadow, coming and going, unsubstantial, misty, dream like.”  Ending with Psalm 33 which depicts God’s sovereignty and praises Him for His goodness and His power. 

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!

For praise from the upright is beautiful.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;

Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.

3 Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right,

And all His work is done in truth.

5 He loves righteousness and justice;

The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;fn

He lays up the deep in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

9 For He spoke, and it was done;

He commanded, and it stood fast.

10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men.

14 From the place of His dwelling He looks

On all the inhabitants of the earth;

15 He fashions their hearts individually;

He considers all their works.

16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army;

A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for safety;

Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy,

19 To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.

❤️❤️1 Peter 4❤️❤️

There are so many beautiful and instructive exhortations here in 1 Peter 4!  My heart doesn’t want to forget any of them. Trusting that the Spirit of God will bring them to mind as needed, but even so, I want to try to write them out and hopefully as I do, write them on my heart as well

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.—1 Peter 4:1-2

Father…Help me to arm myself as a warrior would with the same mind and purpose as Your Son, who not only suffered for us in the flesh but died for us as well. I want to be done with sin. I want to please You and not man. I want to live the remainder of my natural life here on earth for Your will and Your purpose…not mine.  

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."—1 Peter 4:7-8

Keep me focused and centered on the right things because truly the end of all things IS near.  May my  prayer life communicate Your heart and Your will FOR and TOWARD those around me. May Your fervent and unfailing love fill and overflow me. Hatred stirs up strife, but Your love covers and overwhelms all transgressions. It forgives and overlooks another’s faults.  Your love unselfishly seeks the best for others. Oh, Father, what a difference it would make if I could always seek the others best!

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.—1 Peter 4:9-11

Your love, Father, is practical and shows itself in active kindness. Help me to serve others in love without complaining.  Help me to use the special gifts and talents You have entrusted me with faithfully…for Your glory and never my own.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.—1 Peter 4:12-16;19

Such good advice here for each of us as we face the inevitable trials that accompany life in this fallen world. 

1. Don’t be surprised by them…
2. Rejoice when you suffer for doing right and thereby share in the sufferings of Christ. When His glory and splendor is revealed you also will rejoice with great joy!  
3. Remember also,  that in this you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you!!  (And lives in You!) You have been considered worthy to suffer!  He whom they curse, you glorify.
4. Entrust your trial to God. Commit your soul to Him in doing good. 

Oh Father…when I am I’ll-treated and suffer in accordance with Your will…help me to commit my soul to You for safekeeping. You are my faithful Creator. You are He who judges righteously. 

1 I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,

And saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,

And delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!

There is no want to those who fear Him.

10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;

But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Who is the man who desires life,

And loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil,

And your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their cry.

16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,

And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20 He guards all his bones;

Not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked,

And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,

And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.—Psalm 34

Incorruptible Beauty…

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.—1 Peter 3:1-4

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.—1 Peter 3:4

I don’t think anyone who loves the Lord...man or woman...can read this verse and not desire this kind of incorruptible, eternal beauty for themselves.  Oh, to have the beauty of gentle and lowly Jesus, radiating out from our inner man into the dark and dying world that is before our eyes.  I am so thankful that by His Spirit of grace, God is already doing this work in the hearts of those who love Him.  Beloved, the Lord takes pleasure in His people and beautifies the humble with salvation. Each of us who believe, are even now being transformed into His image.  Read with me from 2nd Peter, Chapter 1, verses 3 and 4. 

“...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”—2 Peter 1:3-4

Those who believe already have everything we need pertaining to life and godliness.  We are partakers of His divine promises.  Our outward man is perishing but our inward man is being renewed daily.  Beloved, surrender to His Spirit.  Look to Him who desires truth in the inner man and in the hidden parts make us know wisdom. Allow Him to order your way rightly moment by moment.  

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.—2 Peter 1:2-3

And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.—1 Corinthians 15:49

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:18

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.—Colossians 3:12-17

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."—1 Samuel 16:7

Silencing the Critics…

 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—--1 Peter 2:15

To My Beloved Daughters in Him:


THIS. IS. A VERY INSTRUCTIVE VERSE.  This one has kept me from sin and wrong speaking more times than I can count.  Girls, our single greatest evangelistic tool is how we live our lives.  So often people will speak ignorantly and foolishly...they will judge wrongly.  A foolish man in the bible is one who is disobedient to the word of God...He is a non believer. He is willfully ignorant of God's truth, but attacks it anyway.  We are to silence them not by what we say  but by doing what is good and what is right.  We are to do as it says in verse 12 of this same chapter...We are to have our conduct honorable among the Gentiles so that when they speak against us as evil doers, they may, by our good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.


Wow...crush the critics not by words but by doing right. Give your enemies no foothold...walk blamelessly before your God in uprightness of heart. It secures you in His will and stops the mouths of the lying and the foolish.  Don't fret..it only gives them power and causes you harm.  Keep your upright course.  Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify for your Father in Heaven.  


Here is something you probably already know...this is not easy.  It is not easy to have your good called evil...to have your words twisted and your deeds maligned.  No one likes to be hated without a cause but therein is the encouragement.  Our Jesus was despised and rejected...His words were twisted and His deeds maligned.  Look to Jesus then for your example.  See how he reacted...

For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Christ suffered that we might live.  Shine your light so others might live.  There are no true offenses against you...they are against God.  Your life is not about you..it is about glorifying Him in and through it all so that you can lead others to Christ.  The key verse for me from this section of 1 Peter 2 especially when going through this kind of trial is this one:


 "but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" 


I am never to look to and desire the praises of men...I am to desire the praises of my God.  I am not to get entangled in foolish disputes in an attempt to clear my name. They take the focus off of God and place it on me...so instead of seeing Christ in me others just see me.  They keep the focus on earthly things rather than heavenly things and distract from the task at hand.  I am to commit myself then...all of me...to Him.  I am to surrender to what He has for me.  It is not my job to worry about my critics. It is His.  My job is to do good and keep my conduct honorable.  

These verses above from 1 Peter 2 and the ones below from Psalm 37 are gold to be treasured and obeyed.  As you follow your Lord's example, He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noon day and you will delight yourself in an abundance of peace.  

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
But the meek shall inherit the earth,

And shall delight themselves in abundance of peace       

                                  

Grace and Peace Multiplied…

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.—1 Peter 1:2

I love this introduction!  Who doesn’t want grace and peace multiplied in their life! I like this one from the book of Jude even more because it includes mercy. Multiplied mercy and multiplied love…Yes, please! 

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.—Jude1:2

Jesus says the following in John 14…oh to be kept in God’s perfect peace even as the waves and the billows roll around me! 

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

How are grace and peace multiplied?  According to 2nd Peter 1 they are multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord who by His divine power has given to us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness. He has also given us exceedingly great and precious promises that through them believers may be partakers of His divine nature. 

Beloved…Seek Your God. Immerse yourself in His word and may grace and peace…that special sense of spiritual well-being…be yours in increasing abundance as you walk closely with God.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers; 17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. 18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God's people), 19 and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe.—Ephesians 1:15-19 AMP

Precious in the Sight of the Lord…

 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.—James 5:8

In these days, I have been looking toward the future more than usual. Especially, I have been thinking about the very end of life and how I tend to view it so very fearfully and negatively. Reading Spurgeon has helped me examine and right my thinking in this regard.  He talks about the end of a believer’s life in such positive terms.  As I read more and more and then check out what I read with Scripture, I am beginning to be less fearful of death and in many ways am now looking forward to it. Death is when God’s grace will surround me and Jesus will take my hand and bring me to where I long to be…in Heaven with Him.  It is where I will receive what I have really been waiting for all these years…my crown of glory.  I have no reason to fear.  I am chosen by God and precious. He will be with me as I pass from this life.  My eternal happiness is secure because I have placed my trust in Him.  Soon I will be in Heaven with my Jesus where my reward will be revealed and every tear wiped away.  

Beloved…

Precious in the sight of the LORD

Is the death of His saints.—Psalm 116:15

Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."—Matthew 26:64

Therefore, we do not lose heart…

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:17-18

We are Always Confident…

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.—2 Corinthians 5:1-8

Endurance needed…

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

37 "For yet a little while,

And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith;

But if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him."

39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.—Hebrews 10:35-39

The Lord is near…

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:5-7

He shall strengthen your heart…

Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!—Psalm 27:14

He is compassionate and merciful…

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.—James 5:10-11

Jesus speaking…

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly."  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.—Revelation 22:20-21

Simple Trust In God…

 Simple Trust in the LORD

A Song of Ascentst. Of David.

LORD, my heart is not haughty,

Nor my eyes lofty.

Neither do I concern myself with great matters,

Nor with things too profound for me.

2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,

Like a weaned child with his mother;

Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the LORD

From this time forth and forever.—Psalm 131

Yesterday I wrote about the overwhelming relief I felt in knowing that through all the trials, heartaches and griefs that accompany life on this fallen planet the Lord was my Helper. 

This morning as I meditated on Psalm 131 I felt similarly except this time it was His sovereignty that brought me comfort.  The Lord rules and overrules all in my life for my good and His glory. So much is happening today both in my little world and in the big world around me that I can’t keep up with it all. The world and even my own circumstances give me ample opportunities for panic each and every day.   It is a comfort to know that I have no reason to fear. God’s will for me in this life comes from His heart of love. He is good and does good.  I can trust Him no matter what comes my way.  Nothing happens to me that has not passed through His hand of love first.  I have no reason to panic. His perfect love casts out fear. 

I can be content to spend my life moment by moment wherever my God has placed me. I don’t need to concern myself with how my current circumstances will play out or what will come upon me tomorrow. God knows and He has promised to be with me through all of it.  I can say with King David:

It is the Lord…let Him do to me as seems good to Him. 

Father..Thank you for this psalm that pictures so perfectly the simple trust I desire to have toward You.  Oh Father do this work in me!  Trying to deal with all this life throws at me is emotionally and physically exhausting.  It is too much for me!  I want to be as a child before You…not knowing even how to go out or come in. 

May my trust and my hope be in You. May my one desire be to to know You and meditate on Your word. Instead of fretting, I want to dwell in the land and feed on Your faithfulness.   I want to REST and wait patiently for You. I want Your desires to be my desires.  I want your Presence to so fill and overwhelm me that You are in every one of my thoughts.  Oh Lord, may My heart safely trust in You and may You do in my life as seems good to You. May Your mercy be upon me, Father, just as I hope in You.