Hoping for the Best

A recent post referred to an online poker player who used some puzzling shorthand during hands -- shorthand we still haven't figured out.  Admittedly, we sometimes use texting shorthand as well. Take this moment from later in the tournament:

Dealer: 　flopblogger wins Main Pot ($3,150) with Two pair, nines and sevens
Me: 　good game friends
Me: 　PTL
Dealer: 　JOKER69 wins Main Pot ($30,830) with Two pair, sevens and fives
sootedone: 　poker tard league
Me: 　Uh, no
Me: 　That means praise the Lord
Regular readers may notice we don't play poker as much as we did earlier this year - and we don't post as much about it, either.  The main reason for that is a new non-poker job, which is keeping us very busy.  In fact, sometimes the work can be a bit personally frustrating.  But even at those times, we must remember....

Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. - Psalm 42:5-6

Some people put their hope in winning money at poker.  That thought has crossed our mind from time to time, too -- but then we realize how risky that can be.  Some people become "poker stars" with exclusive access to TV tables.  Many others go bust early.

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.  When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. - Psalm 146:3-4

That applies to ourselves, as much as anybody else.  If you dream of striking it rich at a poker cash game, you could well be deceiving yourself.  So for the best advice, keep reading....

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them -- the Lord, who remains faithful forever. - Psalm 146:5-6

All the saved-up poker winnings in the world can't guarantee you'll avoid death forever.  God is truly our only hope for a life beyond this one.  If your ultimate hope is not in Him, where is it -- and why?