THIS IS EVERY CHRISTIAN'S BLESSED HOPE. Thus the consistent Christian lives. His heart is not set upon anything below, but he is looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life, to dwell with God above. This is the object of his hope. He hopes for life in perfection, in the highest state in a better world, with assured and perpetual health, peace, plenty, and pure delight. This life is certain. It is promised by God who cannot lie; promised before the world began, to Jesus as the Head of His church and to all who believe. This is the gospel testimony, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has received Christ by faith, has this life. Now we have the firstfruits; soon we shall have the glorious harvest. We live in the daily exercise of hope, and this hope cheers us in trouble, strengthens us under persecution, encourages us in our daily warfare, and defends us in the hour of danger. It is the helmet of salvation. Believer, you should not be looking at death, but for life, eternal life. Faith is a firm persuasion of the certainty of this blessing, and a confident expectation of receiving our inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us.

For Meditation:
Billows of disappointment roll
Swept by the restless tide of time;
But gospel hope bears up my soul,
Till the eternal day shall shine;
Blest hope of life with God in heaven
On earth for Him my life I've given.