And where is now my hope?
Where now my hope
I. Occasions in life which force upon us this inquiry.
1. In those seasons when the troubles of life press heavily.
2. When our human dependencies have failed.
3. When the terrors of a guilty conscience seize us.
4. The question irresistibly presses upon all as death seems to approach.
II. The disappointment of those who have not provided against these seasons of trial.
1. All earthly hopes are, in their very nature, inadequate to our exigencies.
2. All the hopes which are derived from the world and the creatures are temporal in their duration.
3. If they could endure and go with us into eternity, or the separate state of souls,--yet they would not stand the test of the final day of account.
III. See the necessity of close self-exaltation.
1. This examination should refer to the object of our hope.
2. We should examine whether we have a well-grounded and scriptural prospect of attaining to the object of our hope. It is possible that we may practise self-delusion.
3. Your hope may be good as to its object, its foundation may be the work of Jesus Christ, an anchor sure and steadfast, but have you a valid title to appropriate that hope to yourself?
4. Inquire whether your hope has borne any trials. Application--
(1) The discovery that our hope is good, and entereth into that within the veil, may well afford exultation.
2. But, if our hope is found vain and weak, or absolutely false, it is high time to abandon it and seek a better. (The Evangelist.)
Hope held out to anxious inquirers
I. The inquiry. “Where is my hope?”
1. Is your hope in the world? This is the case with multitudes. Then your hope is set on that which is not good.
2. Is your hope in sin? Is that possible? The pleasures of sin are but for a season, the pains of sin are for eternity.
3. Is your hope in your works? This was the case with the ancient Pharisees. They “went about to establish their own righteousness,” but failed in the attempt. All who are “of the works of the law” are under it as a covenant; and as such it requires perfect obedience, or there is no justification by it.
4. Is your hope in your knowledge? “Knowledge puffeth up.” “The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
5. Is your hope in Christ? Then it is in the right place. The hope of Job was in him--the Redeemer; so was the hope of the primitive Christians.
II. The cases in which inquirers are warranted to hope. We are not warranted to hold out hope in every case. You must be made to feel your guilt, before you will give up your false hope. You must be made to feel your insufficiency before you will apply to Christ for relief.
1. If you repent you are warranted to hope.
2. If you believe, you are warranted to hope.
3. If you obey, you are warranted to hope.
4. If you love Christ, you are warranted to hope.
5. So you are, if you love the house of prayer.
6. And if you love the brethren.
7. And if you seek the Divine glory.
III. The qualities of the hope which the gospel inspires.
1. It is a Divine hope.
2. A lively hope.
3. A joyful hope.
4. A liberal hope.
5. A permanent hope.
In conclusion, let us consider the inquiry in the text in reference to ourselves, and thus endeavour to make a suitable improvement of the subject. Where is now my hope? (Thomas Hitchin.).