“Surely there is an end [or future], and your hope will not be cut off.”[Prov 23:18]
Most intelligent people would want God’s favour and there is no doubt that many of the righteous who regularly attend God’s house, participate in corporate prayer and diligently conduct home worship, may find that their faithfulness seems somewhat in vain, as they wait for God’s ultimate favour on their lives. At the weekly services they tarry in expectation for a special visitation or revelation from God’s word, or possible encouragement in the unity of worship or perhaps a spoken word from a colleague – is this or will this be their hour? But, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” [Pro. 13:12]
Some who know the sonship of salvation live as a servant, feeling the condemnation of the law, although set free by grace. Rather than walking in the glorious liberty of the sons of God they stumble in hesitant freedom, failing to live in the privileges promised at Calvary. But we know that the living word is adamant: “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” [Gal 4:6-7]. Therefore as our text affirms, at some God-designed time, “Surely . . . our hope will not be cut off.” The future is safe in his favoured hands. “My soul, wait silently upon God; for my expectation is from him.” [Ps 62:5]. Our expectation is not from man, no matter how influential and powerful, but only from God.
Firstly, our expectation is of sins forgiven and all that means in practical and spiritual benefits. God sees me as he sees His son, righteous. We cannot be more righteous, we are as clean as Jesus. If God were to look at us in our own righteousness, all he would see is sin, guilt and pollution, but casting aside all our own worth, we stand in Christ alone; he then sees the sacrifice and the blood of Calvary and pronounces us clean.
Not only did we receive pardon and justifying righteousness, but adoption privileges for we are now his children. “Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” [Eph 2:3]. But, our new-born sonship admits us to his house, not as domestics or servants but sons. We sit at His table and have constant access to His august presence. “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me is love.” [Song 2:4]
Secondly, we have peace in death, not joy, although some will have that. The process of death can be slow and painful, but the Bible says: “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” [Ps 37:37]. We can now, in death, glory in eternity which is a sure promise and provision: “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” [Rom 6:22]. Life will start in eternity, which is the reality of salvation. This life on earth is but a stepping stone to the glories that are to come. “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” [Matt 19:29].
Thirdly, we are therefore heirs: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” [Rom 8:17]. This is part of our father’s last will and testament that cannot be broken [John 17]. An inheritance voiced by Christ; entitled by sonship and sacrifice, and therefore he can bestow, and will share with his children; “He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.” [Isa 53:11]. Being ‘joint-heirs with Christ’ we have riches abundant; riches of humility, holiness, grace and eventually glory; fixing our eyes on present privileges that the gospel has provided.
