With all the awful things happening in the world right now, many times I wonder: how can there be hope in such difficult and gruesome circumstances?  It pains me to see what is happening in the world.

I look at the scriptures, and in reading the psalms of David, I am reminded that David experienced trouble and despair as well, and even yet his psalms are saturated with hope, faith, and trust in God.  He was pursued by people trying to destroy his life, and yet even in his difficulties and unbearable circumstances, he took shelter in the Lord and praised God.  He fixed his gaze on the character of who God is, and let it strengthen him to carry on.  Focusing on God's faithfulness, he knew God would show up again even when those around him said God had abandoned him.

I am not David, but by his example I will search for God, fixing my gaze on His character.  For He is steadfast in His faithfulness, in all circumstances and in all seasons.

In hard times it can seem unfathomable to have hope. But what I know is this: In all circumstances, at all places, in all seasons, God remains the same.  God is a refuge, a fortress, at all times.  In God we can find hope.