Psalms 119:116 - Homilies By C. Short

My hope.

The prayer here may have its highest reference to our religious hopes.

I. WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE GREATEST HOPE WHICH GOOD MEN CHERISH ?

1. That which relates to our everlasting state .

2. That which is based upon the revelation of God in Christ .

II. HOW MAY SUCH A HOPE TURN TO SHAME ? What brings disgrace upon men in relation to their hopes is that they cherish unreal objects; that they expect too much; that they fail in the attainment through want of rational calculation, indolence, self-indulgence, etc. It is not from the nature of the objects that our disappointment can come, if we are building upon the hopes of the gospel. We cannot expect tot much, or draw too largely upon our imagination, as to the good that is to come. But we may fail—and there is the shame—and fail from various causes.

1. We may fail in perceiving the essential things, confounding the ritual with the spiritual , the ceremonial with the substantial .

2. Through careless contentment with our spiritual state. Not being assured that devotion to Christ, activity, and self-denial are indispensable.

III. SOME REASONS FOR EVERY ONE TO BE APPREHENSIVE AS TO THE FATE OF HIS HOPE .

1. Present things may be absorbing so as to endanger the issue.

2. Tendency of our nature to flattering views of ourselves.

IV. WHAT MEASURES NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF OUR HOPE ?

1. The maintenance of constant interest in it.

2. Fidelity towards ourselves in demanding the practical influence of piety.

3. Habitual reliance upon God for help and direction.—S.