The Prospect!
James Smith, 1842
"Surely there is an end; and your expectation shall not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18There is an end to all your troubles, trials, and temptations — you will survive them all, and rise superior to them.
There is an end to all your enemies, and their designs to injure you. They will either be converted to friends, or be everlastingly destroyed from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of His power.
There is an end to all your disappointments and vexations — you will soon be disappointed for the last time, and shall know vexation no more.
There is an end to your sickness — it is not eternal.
But there is no end . . .
to God's curse,
to the sinner's misery,
or Satan's torments!Oh, think of this and be grateful! Your expectation of being forever . . .
freed from sin,
delivered from Satan,
raised above the world,
placed beyond the reach of sorrow,
and of being forever with the Lord
— shall not be cut off!Founded upon God's promises, secured by the Redeemer's blood, and confirmed by the pledge of the Spirit in your heart — your expectations shall be realized and eternally enjoyed. "For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever." Hope then for what at present you have not, and patiently wait for all that your God has promised.
Your troubles are of short duration — but your pleasures shall forever flow! Your troubles are confined to this howling wilderness — but can never enter the paradise into which you will shortly dwell. There will be an end of all you complain of, mourn over, or seek deliverance from. There will be a beginning — but no end, to what you ardently desire, long, and pray for! Jesus will soon complete His redemption, by eradicating sin, disease, and pain from the world — and by raising His saints incorruptible, and perfectly conformed to Himself. The Lord will soon rejoice in His works, and joy over His people with joy! Hell will soon close upon the tempter and all His accursed adherents; and a scene of inconceivable glory and blessedness shall open before our delighted eyes. We shall sing, "The end, the end is come; and the upright shall have dominion in the morning."
Look beyond your present sufferings — and anticipate the glory that is to be revealed. Look, look for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God your Savior. You will soon . . .
see Him without a veil,
enjoy Him in fullness and perfection, and
stand before Him without fault forever.Time will soon fade away before the unfading glories of eternity; and grace be swallowed up in glory forever! Time bounds your trials — but only eternity bounds your possessions, pleasures, and glories!
Can you grieve as without hope, or indulge despondency and fear? Arise, shake yourself from the dust; look upward, for your redemption draws near. The chariot wheels of your Redeemer will soon be heard, and you will be invited to enter into the joy of your Lord; comfort yourself therefore with these words. Live above the present; live anticipating the future; live believing God's promises, and expecting the fulfillment of His gracious words; live by faith in the Son of God; and hasten toward the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.