Rejoicing in Hope: The Soul's Glorious Expectation

To rejoice in hope is not merely sensory pleasure or imaginative fancy, but the removal of sorrow from the heart and the soul's deep contentment in Elohim's promises. Hope itself consists in three elements: belief in good things to come (1 Pet. i. 13), expectation of their arrival (Psa. xlii. 5), and the lawful use of means to obtain them (Heb. x. 23-25).

What grounds sustain this rejoicing? The faithfulness of Yahweh (Tit. i. 2), His almighty power (Matt. xix. 26), and the merits of Christ (2 Cor. i. 20). Our hope rests upon an interest in Christ Himself, pardon of sin, the love of Elohim, the working together of all things for our good (Rom. viii. 28), continual supplies of grace (2 Cor. xii. 9), a joyful resurrection (1 Cor. xv. 19-20), and eternal enjoyment of Adonai's presence (Psa. xlii. 2).

Hope operates as the soul's instinct—one of the strongest forces in human nature. Yet its worth depends entirely upon its direction. Wrongly directed, hope becomes "a fawning traitor of the mind," spreading before us mere mirages that deceive. But rightly ordered toward Yahweh's covenant promises, hope becomes glorious, certain, sweet, solid, and purifying. It produces lively, practical, constant rejoicing that honours God, strengthens the Church, and witnesses to the world.