Zephaniah 3:17  For the Lord our God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Overwhelming grief, prolonged distress, abuse, continual persecution, and punishment breed hopelessness  and despair.  If only we cry, as we search our mind for a way out and look to the skies for rescue.  With a glimmer of hope, we would carry on.

Hope is the silver shaft of sun breaking through the storm darkened sky, words of comfort in the intensive care unit, the first spring bird perched on a snow covered twig, and the finish line in sight.  It is a rainbow, a song, a loving touch.  Hope is knowing God and resting in his love.