Labels: Bram Stoker , Dr. Ewing , Felix Mendelssohn
My only comfort is that we are in the hands of God.
Only for that faith it would be easier to die than to live, and so be quit of all the trouble...
It is a wild adventure we are on.
Here, as we are rushing along through the darkness,
with the cold from the river seeming to rise around us,
it all comes home.
We seem to be drifting into unknown places and unknown ways;
into a whole world of dark and dreadful things.
[Jonathan Harker]
from Dracula
Hope.
What is that? ^
Rather, what does that mean?
What do we hope in?
I am fast learning that a life void of hope is completely meaningless.
It seems like my own sentiments often echo Jonathan Harker, Stoker's fictional creation. Granted, Harker was on a wild vampire quest... and I am not. However, I can relate to the feeling that all that lies ahead is "dark and dreadful." The key to the Christian's life is the first sentence. Regardless of circumstance, we are to always --only-- take comfort in being in the "hands of God."
Recently my home-church pastor made a compelling, accurate assessment of hope for the believer.
It's amazing how, when we look forward to something special in the future,
it not only affects our present actions in a positive way
but also overpowers the negative feelings & behaviors
when there is nothing special to anticipate.
Actually, if only for a period of time, living in anticipation of a special happening
not only affects what we do but also gives us
a purpose and enthusiasm for life itself.
[Dr. Bruce Ewing, March 14th, 2010]
So, again, what do we hope in? What do I hope in now? At first thought, I'd say nothing. Nothing great is happening or is going to happen in the near future that I can tell.
It's at this moment that my analytical, reasonable, habit of thinking kicks in. Of course I have a hope! ... a hope that surpasses all earthly shadows of a promise.
It is the most glorious, grand promise of all glorious, grand promises. It is a description of the final act of unity for God and His people, the Church: the Marriage Feast of the Lamb as foretold by the apostle John.
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
"Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God;
BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS;
for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality,
and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER."
And a second time they said, "Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER."
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who sits on the throne saying,
"Amen. Hallelujah!"
And a voice came from the throne, saying,
"Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great."
Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying,
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean;
for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Then he said to me, "Write,
'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'"
And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."
[Revelation 19:1-9]
Justice is coming. Expulsion of sin is coming. There is hope--perfect hope-- in this perfect ending.
Through darkness riseth light-- light to the upright.
[from Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio Elijah]
