Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. As those who had looked for redemptions in Israel, and patiently waited for the fulfilment of the sure word of prophecy, were comforted when the Redeemer of mankind did make His appearance; which was the case with Anna the prophetess, and the devout Simeon, in an especial manner; so the apostle prays that the Gentiles to whom he wrote might be comforted, that they might have joy and peace in believing in the long expected Saviour, that their hope of blessings to be derived through Him and from Him might abound; and this by the Holy Spirit influencing their minds; since the hope which He communicates maketh not ashamed,56 the peace which He gives passeth all understanding," the joy with which He fills the hearts of His people is joy unspeakable and full of glory.58 This prayer corresponds with the observation with which the apostle had set out in the text; where the purpose for which the holy scriptures were left on record, is stated in a fourfold point of view. They were written, First, For our learning; Secondly, To lead us to the exercise of patience; 55 Luke ii. 38. 56 Rom. v. 5. 57 Phil. iv. 7. 58 1 Pet. i. 8. Fourthly, To give us hope towards God. Whatsoever things were written aforetime, by holy men of God who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,59 were written, First, For our learning, or instruction; that we might know the things which belong to our peace and salvation. The apostle wrote in like manner to Timothy, his dearly beloved son in the faith of the gospel; All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. And he spoke of it as a high privilege which had been conferred upon him, from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.60 To be learned in the holy scriptures is the most important learning in the world; when the truths of the gospel of Christ, which are revealed in the word of God, are brought home with power to the heart and conscience, by the power of the Holy Ghost; otherwise even this learning is to no saving purpose. He who gave His word is graciously pleased to apply it to the hearts of them that hear it; so that they receive the truth in the love of it, and not merely assent to it with the mind and understanding. 59 1 Pet. i. 21. 60 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17, 15. For this illumination of the Spirit of God it becomes us to pray earnestly when we read or hear the word of God, that it may prove the word of life and salvation to our souls. If we have learned Christ, as He is revealed in the holy scriptures, by the teaching of the Spirit of God, we have acquired the most useful and valuable of learning. All other learning perishes with its possessor, but this lasts for ever. To be made acquainted with the testimony of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, so as to be led to put our trust in Him, as the only Saviour of perishing sinners, and being reconciled to God by the death of His Son,1 to draw nigh to Him, and enjoy communion and fellowship with Him in prayer and praise as His children, is the most important learning in the world. The learning of languages, and of the arts and sciences, as they are termed, is useful for this life. By these men become eminent in society, may benefit their fellow creatures, and increase their own enjoyments. But this kind of learning dies with us. When the breath leaves the body it is of no further use. 61 If we have not learned Christ, as the truth is in Jesus,62 we are living without God in the world,63 that is, without having Him as our Father and Friend, reconciled to us through His beloved 61 Rom. v. 10. 62 Eph. iv. 20, 21. 63 Eph. ii. 12. Son; and dying in this state, however great and extensive our learning may be, and however useful to others or to ourselves for this life, being without Christ, we can have no good hope of everlasting salvation. The great thing then which we have to learn is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; for it is by means of this alone that we can be saved.64 This is the only way of reconciliation with God, and being at peace with Him. This will bring with it real joy and gladness of heart. And hereby we shall be enabled to abound in hope with regard to futurity; that whenever we shall leave this world, whenever this mortal life shall come to an end, which will be the case with us all, after a few short years have rolled over our heads, and we none of us know how soon the time will arrive for the close of our earthly career, then our joy will be complete and full in the beatific vision of the glory of God. Let it be our earnest prayer to the God of all grace, that we may be taught the truth as it is in Jesus, not only by the word, but also by the Spirit of God, through the power of the Holy Ghost influencing our hearts to receive the truth in the love of it; that we may have that learning which will be the means of bringing us to everlasting salvation; notwithstanding it may be of little estimation in this world, and may even expose us to reproach 64 Acts xvi. 31. 65 2 Thess. i. 8. 66 2 Tim. iii. 15. and contempt among those who know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.65 It will be found eventually that those only are truly wise who are thus learned in the holy scriptures, and made wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.66 But the text informs us, 67 Pa Secondly, That the scriptures were written with the view of leading us to the exercise of patience, or submission to the will of God. tience is usually spoken of in connection with affliction. The apostle said to the believing Hebrews, Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Their having done the will of God is described before as having endured a great fight of afflictions, by the reproaches and distresses to which they had been subjected, in consequence of their Christian profession. To this our Lord Jesus Christ was Himself exposed, as it is observed in the verse before the text; and His believing people may therefore be content to follow Him, bearing His reproach.68 St. James produces other examples, when he exhorts Christians, Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience; and reminds them, Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord.69 He who knows 67 Heb. x. 36, 32. 68 Heb. xiii. 13. 69 James v. 10, 11. |