On the Good Ministry of Hope

On the Good Ministry of Hope

“God’s fixed and faithful Word gives us certainty of future. Nor need our own sin or weakness dash our confidence, for his promises are made to the sinful and weak. We have a rock on which to build. Why should our hope cast its anchor on some floating island which may drift and melt away, when it may be fastened within the veil?”

“Some good people say ‘I hope’ in such tremulous melancholy tones that it sounds like ‘I fear.’  Joyous confidence becomes those who have God to lean on. “I am persuaded,” “we know,” are the words with which Paul and John heralded their hopes; and we should be bold to use the same. It is blessedness to hope perfectly. So we escape the alternations which, like the hot and the shivering fits of ague, rack others, and the bitterness of disappointment when some gleaming vision collapses, and, instead of the rainbow—hued bubble, we are left with a drop of dirty water. He who lives by earthly hopes is in danger of dying by earthly disappointments. A fulfilled hope is often a disappointed one. We may have a pillar of fire to guide us in all the darkness, which will glow brighter as we draw near the end. It is strength to hope perfectly. Hope is often a trifler, robbing us of energy, making the present flat, and withdrawing us from working in order to dream. But Christian hope is an armed warrior, grave and calm, ready for conflict because assured of victory. It will be as wings to lift us above care and sorrows, and as cords to bind us to duty and toil.” —Excerpted from Alexander MacLaren