When in the trenches of life, faith becomes an intentional decision to continue to place my trust in God.

• God knows everything.
• God is everywhere.
• God cares for me.

Deal #1 — Hope - God will be there.

Deal #2 — Despair - God has abandoned me.

Discovery that we make terrible gods for ourselves.

Despair — the complete loss or absence of hope

Psalm 139:19–22 (NRSV) 19 O that you would kill the wicked, O God, and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me— . . . 22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. 

Hope - an expectant trust in God and His promises.

Psalm 139:13–16 (NIV84) 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body.