Great Themes of the Bible (continued)
Hope TL ashamed of these sufferings. It is in a good cause, for a good Master, in a good hope, and therefore we are not ashamed. We will never think ourselves disparaged by sufferings that are likely to end so well. This hope will not disappoint us, because it is sealed with the Holy Spirit.
4. SALVATION THROUGH HoPE
So the Christian hope is not in present possessions. ''We are saved by hope"' (Rom. viit. 24). In this, as in other things, God has made our present state a state of trial and probation—that our reward is out of sight. Those who will deal with God must deal upon trust. It is acknowledged that one of the principal graces of a Christian is hope (1 Cor. xiii. 13), which necessarily implies a good thing to come, which is the object of that hope. Faith respects the promise, hope the thing promised. Faith is the evidence, hope the expectation, of things not seen. Faith is the motive of hope. "'We do with patience wait."' In hoping for this glory we have need of patience, to bear the sufferings we meet with in the way to it and the delays of it.
But the consolations of God are strong enough to support His people under their strongest trials. The comforts of this world are too weak to bear up the soul under temptation, persecution and death. But the consolations of the Lord are neither few nor small.
What use the people of God should make of their hope and comfort, that most comfortable and refreshing hope of eternal blessedness that God has given them. Why, this is, and must be unto them, for "'an anchor to the soul, sure and stedfast"' (Heb. vt. 19). First, note from this that we are in this world as a ship at sea, liable to be tossed up and down and in danger of being cast away. Our souls are the vessels. The comforts, and expectations, and graces, and happiness of our souls are the precious cargo with which these vessels are laden. Heaven is the harbour to which we sail. The temptations, persecutions and afflictions that we encounter are the winds and waves that threaten our shipwreck. Secondly, we have need of an anchor to keep us sure and steady, or we are in continual danger. Thirdly, Gospel hope is our anchor. Fourthly, it is sure and steadfast or else it would not keep us so.
It is sure in its own nature, for it is the special work of God in the soul. It is good hope through grace. It is not a flattering hope made out of the spider's web but it is a true work of God—