In My Haste

 

 

 

 

“I said in my haste,

All men are liars.”

A quote from the Psalmist David-

A situation quite dire.

 

A very sweeping statement

I am sure you would agree

Hence, one that I certainly find

Difficult to see.

 

But it was said in haste

The speaker did admit

Thus, on reflection also suggesting

Hi, we should acquit.

 

Romans 3:4

 

But if this is the case

What must we do with the scripture:

“Let God be true

But every man a liar.”?

 

Certainly, God is true

And thus, He cannot lie,

Titus 1 verse 2 bears out this,

Who am I to deny?

 

On none of His promises

Has God ever faulted,

Unlike many of our world leaders

That we have exalted.

 

Their record is so poor

It makes their promises lies

And as a result, in some countries,

People are dying like flies.

 

“In my haste,” David said,

It was like, who can I trust?

Obviously, however he had turned,

Lying was the thrust.

 

On reflection, however,

It appears that he reneged

Thus, it appears somewhat to me,

For forgiveness he begged.

 

Don’t hold it against him,

It was said in his haste

And words uttered without thinking

 Can lead to waste.

 

By whose authority

Did David declare such?

Certainly not by God’s authority,

We now know this much.

 

It was a hasty remark,

That is as much we do know,

Look no further, my friend,

The scripture says so.

 

 

 

It was not the first time

David had spoken in his haste,

Turn back to Psalm 31 verse 22

Where there is a trace.

 

There, his “in my haste”

Was said as a reflection on God

But his very next statement showed

His reflection was flawed. 

 

So, whatever David meant

It was said in a haste

And cannot be attributed to Jesus-

Not even a trace.

 

However, compared to God

“That cannot lie”

All men are prone to lying

And this, we can’t deny.

 

Stewart Russell © July 8, 2023

 

Hope So and Certain Hope

 

 

It is not uncommon my friend

To go through a perilous situation

And to utter an “I hope so”

As wishful consolation.

 

“I hope so” is simply a case

Where there is no genuine hope:

A word of sympathetic encouragement

Just to help someone cope.

 

It is almost with resignation

That “I hope so” comes into play

But there is no assurance for better

As one nears the end of day.

 

“Tell me, this advice that you give,

Will it really work?”

“I hope so” comes the reply

Sometimes even from experts.

 

Imagine the woman in the Bible

That had the issue of blood!

Think of the “I hope so’s” she had:

More than anyone should.

 

 

From Doctor A to Doctor B

Consultant C and Consultant D

Specialist E and Specialist F

“I hope so” and more money.

 

I trust you have gotten the point

That I am at pains to make:

There is no hope in “I hope so”

So, do not make this mistake.

 

Certain hope on the other hand

Is a different kettle of fish,

It carries a definite assurance

That means far more than a wish.

 

Like God’s promise of salvation

Guaranteed by God himself

As opposed to some conman’s offer

With lots of ill-gotten wealth.

 

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life,

Which God, that cannot lie,

Promised before the world began;

 

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope,

And the glorious appearing of the great God

And our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

Titus 3:7

That being justified by his grace,

We should be made heirs

According to the hope of eternal life.

 

These references are not consecutive

But they read as though they are,

Not “I hope so” but certain hope

Guaranteed and not marred.

 

Not a Lotto hope as in the lottery

Where only a relative few will win

But a certain hope that’s in Christ Jesus

Now that we are saved from sin.

 

It is not a hit or miss scenario:

Not a shot fired off in the dark,

It’s a Holy Spirit guaranteed assurance

That is settled in a believer’s heart.

 

Some teach we cannot know:

Theirs is most definitely, “I hope so”

But here and now we can definitely know

And make our calling and election sure.

 

Stewart Russell © May 15, 2021