p. 8 | Our Unfailing Hope by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 1, 1915

Our Unfailing Hope

By C. M. S.

The ship of this world seems to be driving on without a rudder toward the rocks of ruin. The fear that civilization cannot stand the strain of commercial competition and national aggrandizement has proved to be a well-founded fear. The consideration of what civilization stands for was thrown to the winds when the nations struck hands and went into the temple of Mars to worship at his shrine.

If we depend upon the arm of man for safety, or put our trust in the implements of war, we trust in a broken reed, and our trust will become our disappointment. In God is our safety; in his Word our hope. The heart that trusts in him trusts in the sureties of eternity. We have only to let him take the helm, and he will steer our vessel out of every storm that rages around us.

“Without me,” said he, “ye can do nothing.” But men today are saying in their hearts and by their acts, “I can do all things by my own power and through the guidance of my own foresight.” But when the storm comes down, the source of their power, the fountain of their dependence, is shaken and shattered; and with that gone, their all is gone. Like the ships upon the sea, their dependence is in themselves, and the storm is stronger than the ship.

There is a better source of strength and protection than self,—a source which no storm can shake, no power of earth destroy,—and it is open to every voyager upon the sea of life. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isa. 41:10.

There has been ample provision made for the safe voyage of every soul that has set out upon that sea. God cannot save the soul that flees from his power and protection, and binds its hope to the flimsy fabric of its own power and wisdom. Such a soul must go down; for the powers that wrestle for its ruin are greater than the powers to which it looks for succor. It is a sad sight to see a human soul wrecked upon the rocks of self-trust or of unbelief, because God and his great purpose were shut out of the mind and heart.

God must be our pilot, our protector, our help and refuge in every stress of trial. He has promised to be our comforter in every sorrow, and the light of his Word will dispel every cloud of gloom and every fog of unbelief.

Trusting in that source of strength and guidance, there will be no sad wreck of hope and life; but the light of God’s blessing will shine out through the windows of the soul, and his glorious purpose concerning man will be wrought out before the world in you. C. M. S.