THE believer cannot always rejoice in possession, for he appears stripped of every thing; but he may rejoice in hope even then. He is warranted to hope for eternal life; for righteousness by faith, that God may be magnified in his body, by life or by death; for the resurrection of the body, and its reunion with the soul; for the appearing of his beloved Savior, and complete salvation through Him. The hope which is laid up for him in heaven, of which the gospel now informs hima weight of glory, a crown of righteousness, and an eternal inheritance, are in reserve for him; and in hope of these he may rejoice. They are set before Him to excite desire, produce courage, prevent despondency, and fill with joy. They are freely given, plainly promised, and carefully preserved; therefore we shall never be ashamed of our hope. Let us not yield to our gloomy feelings, or to distressing forebodings; but let us lift up our heads, rejoicing that we shall so soon be made partakers of our hope. Let us hope in God, and daily praise Him more and more; making use of hope as the anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast.
Come, Lord, and help me to rejoice, In hope that I shall hear Thy voice, Shall one day see my God; Shall cease from all my painful strife, Hardly and taste the word of life, And feel the sprinkled blood.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
THE believer cannot always rejoice in possession, for he appears stripped of every thing; but he may rejoice in hope even then. He is warranted to hope for eternal life; for righteousness by faith, that God may be magnified in his body, by life or by death; for the resurrection of the body, and its reunion with the soul; for the appearing of his beloved Savior, and complete salvation through Him. The hope which is laid up for him in heaven, of which the gospel now informs hima weight of glory, a crown of righteousness, and an eternal inheritance, are in reserve for him; and in hope of these he may rejoice. They are set before Him to excite desire, produce courage, prevent despondency, and fill with joy. They are freely given, plainly promised, and carefully preserved; therefore we shall never be ashamed of our hope. Let us not yield to our gloomy feelings, or to distressing forebodings; but let us lift up our heads, rejoicing that we shall so soon be made partakers of our hope. Let us hope in God, and daily praise Him more and more; making use of hope as the anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast.
Come, Lord, and help me to rejoice, In hope that I shall hear Thy voice, Shall one day see my God; Shall cease from all my painful strife, Hardly and taste the word of life, And feel the sprinkled blood.