June 27

Good hope. - 2 Thessalonians 2:16.

THE object of our present inquiry regards the excellency of the Christian’s hope. It is “a good hope through grace.” Now, there are three ways in which a hope may be said to be good. First, Because of its object. Secondly, Because of its warrant. Thirdly, Because of its influence. It is the first of these to which we shall at present confine our remarks. What the object of the Christian’s hope is, we may gather from the apostle’s prayer in behalf of the Ephesians:-“That the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of your calling,”-the hope which they had, for which they are called by the gospel; therefore he adds, “and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

The object of this hope, therefore, embraces all that is contained in the Scriptures of truth, all that is contained in the new and “everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure.” It takes in the idea of suitableness; it is infinitely adapted to all our woes, to all our wants, and to all our weaknesses. If I am guilty, it brings me pardon; if I am enslaved, it brings me deliverance; if I am sick, it brings me health and cure; if I am poor, it brings me riches, unsearchable riches, the riches of grace. And there is an all-sufficiency in it. Its privileges extend as far as the curse is found; for, says the apostle, “Where sin hath abounded, grace doth much more abound.”

It is a very pleasing consideration that it is all-sufficient for others as well as for ourselves; for our dear children, for our dear friends, for our neighbours, for our nation, and for the world at large. It is not a morsel, therefore, to be eaten alone. It is, as Isaiah calls it, a feast of fat things made upon a mountain and for all nations. And it has duration. It is “permanency that adds bliss to bliss,” says Dr. Young; we are assured that mortality is the disguise of every thing human.

“All, all on earth is shadow.”

What can we place our affections upon that is abiding? The hosannas of today are the “Crucify him” of to-morrow, so vain is the present evil world. What is wealth? “Riches make to themselves wings, and fly away.” What is health? what is our strength? “Our strength is not the strength of stones, nor our bones brass, nor our dear connections abiding.” Who has not sighed, “Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness”? But there all is lasting; there are pleasures for evermore. There is not only a crown, but “a crown of glory that fadeth not away;” not only salvation, but “everlasting salvation;” not only life, but “life eternal.”