IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MARCH 15

 

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God,

that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

 

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.

 

This is the object of his hope.

 

He hopes for life in perfection,

   in the highest state of existence,

     in another and better world.

 

Perpetual existence in health,

                               in peace,

                               in plenty, and

                               in pleasure.

 

This is life certain.

 

It is promised.

 

Promised by God who cannot lie.

 

Promised before the world began.

 

To Jesus as the Head of his church.

 

To all believers.

 

This is the gospel testimony, That God that given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath received Christ by faith, hath life.

 

We have the first-fruits, 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,

  animates us in our daily warfare, and

   defends us in th 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 existence of this blessing, and a confident expectation of enjoying it.

 

 

Billows of disappointment roll

Along the restless tide of time;

But gospel-hope bears us my soul,

‘Till an eternal calm shall shine;

In hope of life eternal given,

I live, anticipating heaven.

 

James Smith