THIS title is applied to all the Lord's people; it sets forth their dignity,they are PRINCES; it refers to their experience, they wrestle with God in prayer, and they prevail. Despondency does not become a prince, much less a Christian. Our God is "THE GOD OF HOPE:" and we should hope in Him. Israel should hope in His mercyin His patiencein His provisionin His plenteous redemption. They should hope for light in darkness: for strength in weakness; for direction in perplexity; for deliverance in danger; for victory in conflict; and for triumph in death. They should hope God confidently, because He has promised; prayerfully, for He loves to hear from us; obediently, for His precepts are to be observed by us; and constantly, for He is alway the same. Beloved, let not your hope rest on frames, or duties, or men or anything; but hope in the Lord, in the Lord only. Israel's God is at all times Israel's hope. The hope of Israel shall never be disappointed. Therefore hope in God, for it is good that a man should both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord; this will keep you steady in storm and tempest.
The gospel bears my spirit up; A faithful and unchanging God. Lays the foundation for my hope, In oaths, and promises, and blood; Then, O my soul, still hope in God, And plead thy Saviour's precious 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.
THIS title is applied to all the Lord's people; it sets forth their dignity,they are PRINCES; it refers to their experience, they wrestle with God in prayer, and they prevail. Despondency does not become a prince, much less a Christian. Our God is "THE GOD OF HOPE:" and we should hope in Him. Israel should hope in His mercyin His patiencein His provisionin His plenteous redemption. They should hope for light in darkness: for strength in weakness; for direction in perplexity; for deliverance in danger; for victory in conflict; and for triumph in death. They should hope God confidently, because He has promised; prayerfully, for He loves to hear from us; obediently, for His precepts are to be observed by us; and constantly, for He is alway the same. Beloved, let not your hope rest on frames, or duties, or men or anything; but hope in the Lord, in the Lord only. Israel's God is at all times Israel's hope. The hope of Israel shall never be disappointed. Therefore hope in God, for it is good that a man should both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord; this will keep you steady in storm and tempest.
The gospel bears my spirit up; A faithful and unchanging God. Lays the foundation for my hope, In oaths, and promises, and blood; Then, O my soul, still hope in God, And plead thy Saviour's precious blood.