The quality of hope, as a golden thread, runs through the pages of scripture. Therein is revealed, over and over again, the value of a hope that is sure and steadfast : the patience of hope that is begotten through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the exceeding great joy that comes to us from the hope that is centred on the coming of that Lord who will restore beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning.
“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help and whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Whoso trusted in the Lord, happy is he.
The psalmist realised the truth of those words more than most of us do, perhaps because of the experiences he passed through when “his spirit was overwhelmed within him and his heart within him was desolate”.
That is a picture of direst calamity. It depicts one sorely broken down in mind and spirit, passing through “days of darkness with no brightness in them”. But from the midst of that despondency the vital spark of hope shone forth, pointing always to the source of all strength, and leading the afflicted one to the throne of grace, as he pleaded :
“Cause me to know the way I should walk, for I lift up ray soul unto thee.”
Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art my God, thy spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness, for in thee do I trust.”
We remember also his joyful words of praise to the Almighty :”I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up.”
That was the hidden spring in David’s life : his trust in God :
“In thee, O Lord, do I hope…
Thou art my hope, O Lord God, Thou art my trust from my youth.”
The Apostle Peter spoke of the abundant mercy of God, who hath begotten us unto our lively hope by the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead. That lively hope, that abundant mercy, that full assurance of hope is the sustaining power of our lives. It can lift our thoughts from all that is harmful, or foolish, or of no account, to that which is helpful, uplifting and stimulating. Through our hope in God and our trust in His guidance, we learn to approve the things that are excellent and are able to discern those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. It is to these things we are told to give attention : to think upon them, to work them into the texture of our lives. Even in this life they bring a rich reward, but they connect up with the richest reward of all in the preparation for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
“Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as He (God) is pure.” (1 Jno. 3. 3.)
The incorruptible seed, sown by the word of God, nourished and cultivated by that which liveth and abideth for ever, attains unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away. The period of purification of that one who has this hope is one of concentration and serious consideration. It implies constant application of those principles of truth and righteousness in our every-day life. It is not the tacit consent of those principles that is called for, nor the expressed admiration of them. What is so urgently needed is the consistent application of those principles to the incidents of life’s daily round. It is summed up in that wonderful word, “overcoming” ; and, after all, that is what our life consists of : overcoming self and reaching unto the fulness of the stature of Christ Jesus. We are not left to travel the road alone : we are not asked to find our way in the darkness. Our hope is in God, our strength comes from Him : let us hold fast to that hope right to the end.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay