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There are some who cannot endure the thought of looking forward to the end; and this in a great variety of particulars. None but Christians contemplate with delight the end of their woes, and the reason is, that they have no well-grounded hope as to the end. If a hope exists, it becomes us closely to examine on what it is founded.

I. If I were asked WHAT CONSTITUTES MY HOPE AS A CHILD OF GOD, as a Christian, as an heir of glory, I should not hesitate for one moment to state that it consists of three things — the constancy of my Father's love, the official faithfulness of my Elder Brother to His engagements, and the ministerial operations of the Comforter, pledged for the eternal salvation of my soul

II. NOTICE HOW THIS IS OWNED BY JEHOVAH HIMSELF. "Saith the Lord." This is a phrase of personal importance. He hath not only said it here in the volume of inspiration, but He saith it repeatedly, continually, powerfully unto the souls of His people when He speaks to them. What paternal tenderness is here! what paternal condescension! There are numbers of little children in different families who would, in many instances, be disposed to disregard a great deal that a servant might say, or that a stranger or a visitor might say; but when the father speaks, his voice has some weight and authority. Moreover, when Jehovah thus speaks with paternal tenderness, there is hope in His name. Suppose the case of crosses and cares, trials and anxieties, difficulties and perplexities, threatened ruin or discomfort, or the loss of domestic harmony; only let the Lord speak, and "there is hope in the end, saith the Lord." In the next place, just mark, that when Jehovah speaks, when Jehovah Himself comes with His "Thus saith God," it is by revealing the hope of Israel. This is the express business and ministry of God the Holy Ghost, to reveal the glorious Person of the Redeemer, under the appellation of "the hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble." I beseech you to mark one more point in connection with the Lord's owning this hope to exist in reality in the soul; I refer to the testimony of the internal witness of the Holy Ghost. "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God." His testimonies have always a sanctifying tendency.

(J. Irons.)

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KJV: Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

WEB: Thus says Yahweh: Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says Yahweh; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.