THE CHRISTIANS’ HOPE

White Ribbon, Volume 48, Issue 4, 18 May 1942, Page 4

THE CHRISTIANS’ HOPE

(Message given by Mrs. A. Smith, at Noutli Dunedin W.C.T.U. meeting, and published at their request.)

In these troublous days, when nothing >eems stable, and all the world is in a state oi chaos, we need a sure and certain hope, that will lift us up in spirit, above the changing things of time. A “hope” that will enable us to “look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen, for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that arc not seen are eternal.” First, let us see what God's W ord says concerning the Worldlings’ Hoj>e. Ephes. 2:12. We read “Ye were without Christ. . . . Strangers from the Covenants of Promise, having no ‘hoi»e,’ and without God in the World.” The worldling doc* “hoiie,” and put his trust in many things, some trust in chariots, and some in horses, and princes, some trust in themselves, their wisdom, riches, strength, etc., but they have no sure and certain hope. When suffering ad\ersity, disaster, or overwhelming sorrow overtakes them, they find that “the arm of flesh ha* failed them, they dare not trust their own. Job. 8:18. “So are the paths of all who forget God and the hyjiocrites’ ‘hoi*:’ shall perish. Whose ‘hope’ shall be cut up, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.” Let us now contrast the Christian*’ IIOJH.*. It is first a “Sating Hope." Rom. 8:24. “For we are saved by hoi*e, but hoi*c that is seen is not hoi>e; for what a man seetli, why doth he yet hope for. But if we liojk: for that we see not, then do we, with patience, wait for it.” “By (iracc yc are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, ii is the gift of God.” It is a “Strengthening Hope." loel 3:16. “The Lord will be the ‘hope’ of His l»eople, and the strength of the children of Israel.” St. Paul declares “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthened! me.” It is a “Living Hope." I Pet. 1:3. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to His abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) liojk*, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” “He ever livctli to make intercession for us.” It is a “Joyful Hope." Rom. 5:2. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. By Whom, also, we have access by faith, and rejoice in ‘hope’ of the Glory of God.” “Do you hear the saint*’ adoring Here below? Do you hear them, praise outpouring, ’midst earth’s work? Hark, they sing their sweet refrain. Through their joy, and through their pain, Praising, ever, in their love, God above.” It is a “Blessed Hope” Titus 2:13.

“Looking for that blessed hoi*e, and the glorious api*caring of the Great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” This is the blessed and glorious climax, for which we should all be prayerfully watching, m joyful anticipation, for the Bridegroom of our souls. 1 Thess. 4:16. “For file Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout . . . and the dead in Clmst shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together, with them in the cloud*, to meet the Lord mi the air, and so diall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” "We wait for the Lord, our Beloved, Our Comforter, Master, and Friend. The substance of all that we hoi*: for, Beginning of faith, and it* end. • We watch for our Saviour, and Bridegroom, Who loved us, and made us His own; For Him we are looking and longing: For Jesus, and Jesus alone.” It is a “Purifying Hope.” 1 Jus. 3:3. "Beloved, now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear .what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him a* He is, and every man that lisr.th this Hope in him, purified: himself, even as He is pure.” It is an “ Abounding Hope” Rom. 15:13. “Now the God of Ho]»e till you with all joy ami juace in believing that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” The Psalmist, in his distress, cries out: “ll'hy, art thou cast down, O my Soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in Cod, for 1 *hall yet praise Him, Who i* the health of my countenance, and my God.” It is a "Restful Hope." Psalm 16:9. “I have set die Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my flesh alsc shall rest in hope.” It is an “ Anchored Hope;* Heb. 6:, 18-19. r “Who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, l>otli sure and steadfast, and which entered] into that within the veil. “Though the angry surges roll On my teinj>est-driven soul. 1 am inaceful, for I know Wildly though the winds may blow. I’ve an anchor, safe and sure, That can ever more endure, And it holds, my anchor holds.” In conclusion. It is a “Glorious Hope." Col. 1:27. “God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery, among the gentiles, which is ‘Christ in you the Hope of Glory.’ ” How this gloriou* hoi* thrills, and inspires us, Christ in us the hope of Glory. We ave the temples of the Holy Spirit. (iod I as chosen to dwell in us through Hi* Holy Spirit

“Oh; to lie filled with Thy self, dear Lord. Oh; to be lost in Thee. • Oh; that it might be no more I. But Christ, that lives in me.” “It is Jesus Himself we are needing. Not blessings of knowledge and power. Not g r eat gifts of praising and praying, But Jesus Himself every hour. The living, unchangeable Jesus: The Friend, Who is faithful indeed. In your long experience, has taught me, It is Jesus, Himself, we all need.”