Hope

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
 
Hope enters the heart, so to speak, as a physician or as a conqueror, to heal in the day of sorrow and disappointment, or to be the ascendant in the day of prosperity.
It is seen in the antediluvian saints, in the Genesis—fathers, in Joseph in Gen. 1; in Israel, in Ex. 12; in Moses, in Num. 10:29; in David, in 1 Chron. 29:15, in one or other of these.
The Lord had it as a conqueror in John 12:24, as a relief in Heb. 12:2. We are called to it in each of these ways.
The Spirit forms it in the heart as necessarily as faith1, Ex. 12:1, 7-11 Thess. 1:9-10, Rom. 5:12.
Different objects it apprehends—rest after conflict (2 Thess. 1, 2 Tim. 4); a pure kingdom after a defiled world (2 Peter); Christ Himself (Luke 12:36, Matt. 25:4, 1 John 3:2-3); a harvest after a first-fruits (1 Cor. 15).
 
1. Accordingly, at the beginning, Adam had no promise given him as to the future and glory, but as soon as he had faith, he had hope, walking as a stranger here, as well as a saved sinner.