AMONG the good gifts heaven has bestowed upon us, we class hope. Deprived of hope in afflictive circumstances, we are like the ship in a storm without an anchor; at the mercy of the waves, tossed and driven.
Hope embraces both expectation and desire. To hope for a thing then, there must be grounds for expecting it. And though in some cases it is well to hope where the prospect of obtaining the desired object is small, yet would it not be better often to examine the basis upon which hope rests, and see that it is reliable, lest when it is too late to make amends despair seize us?
In all worldly enterprise we expect, if a given course is pursued, certain results. Hence we see the scholar that desires to climb the hill of science, making diligent efforts. Discouragements may press heavily, and with much difficulty he perseveres, but he is untiring. So it is with the individual who seeks honor, pleasure or wealth. Not unfrequently do we see those who will forego comforts, and even risk their lives for gold. The hope of obtaining a worldly treasure prompts them to this. But notwithstanding all our efforts to obtain worldly good, we may fail of reaching it. For the foundation upon which our hopes rest has no permanency. By affliction we are often doomed to disappointment.
But there is a hope that is well-founded. It is the "blessed hope," for it is above all other hopes. It is based upon God's promises, therefore cannot fail. But as in all other cases, if we would have this hope ours, we must lay hold of, and comply with the conditions. These are made plain in the word of God. And Jesus testifies that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. The great object of hope is eternal life. For this we may sacrifice and yet it be gain to us.
We should naturally suppose a hope above all others, reliable and certain, and of such immense value, would be grasped with eagerness. And that no means would be left untried of ascertaining the correctness of our title, or that we indeed have reasons for cherishing this hope. Yet how often is an opposite course pursued. Many who entertain a hope, make so little effort to come up to the standard, that at most they can only hope they have a hope. It must be otherwise, however, with those who enjoy the full fruition of this hope. Having done on our part all that is required, like obedient children trusting in a faithful parent, we may safely anchor on this hope. And inasmuch as God who hath promised cannot lie, with the fullest assurance may we look for the thing hoped for.