Consider the Hand of the Lord, by John Flavel (1627-91)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Go thy way, Christian, to thy God.  Get thee to thy knees in the cloudy and dark day. Retire from all creatures, that thou mayest have thy full liberty with thy God, and there pour out thy heart before Him in free, full, and broken-hearted confessions of sin…Surely,...

Blessed Assurance by Fanny Crosby, 1873

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Fanny Crosby is not remembered for sermons or theological treatises.  But just as the words of the great writers live on, the words of this great hymn writer have survived the test of time. Blind from infancy, Fanny Crosby wrote more than 9,000 hymns, including...

Every Event is Under Divine Control, by James Smith 1802—1862

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“My times are in Your hand!” Psalm 31:15 Every event is under Divine control. Nothing is left to ‘chance’. The hand of God is in all that occurs: directing, overruling, and sanctifying everything to our good and His glory. He appointed all that...

Oh, That the Grace of God May be Sufficient for Me, by Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“My times are in Your hand!” Psalm 31:15 Firmly believing that my times are in God’s hand, I here submit myself and all my affairs for the ensuing year, to the wise and gracious disposal of God’s divine providence. Whether God appoints for...

O, stand amazed at His free grace! by Thomas Sherman, 1812

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

From “Divine Breathings: Or, ” Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ” O, precious saint! Three questions call for your answer:    1. What were you?    2. What are you?    3. What shall you be? 1. What were you? Dead in your transgressions and sins,...

Life is like a painted dream! by Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” (Psalm 48:14)  The world passes away. Everything here in this present world is changing. Life is like a painted dream,Like the rapid summer stream, Like the fleeting...

Comfort in Afflictions, by AW Pink (1886-1952)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Everyone suffers, but how people suffer varies. AW Pink tells how to lighten the afflictions of this life and persevere in faith. 2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of...

COVID-19 and “This is the Finger of God!” by J.C. Ryle

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

In 1865,  England experienced a devastating epidemic of foot and mouth disease that threatened their food supply by killing their cattle. It is remembered as “The Great Cattle Plague of England,” 1865-1867.  J.C. Ryle, a vicar in the Anglican church at...

Waiting on God in Humble Hope and Fear by Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith... Heb 12:1-2 Words...

The Athanasian Creed (c.298-373)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Athanasius of Alexandria, also known as Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, was a fourth-century defender of the faith. He focused on the scriptural doctrines of the Trinity (Trinitarianism) and the person of Jesus Christ (Christology).  The creed that...

The Rest! by James Smith, 1865

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9 We shall consider these words as referring to HEAVENLY rest: our Father’s house, our Savior’s home, and our eternal dwelling-place! To the weary and way-worn, there is...

“Sickness and Death are Perpetually Undermining Our Lives” by Samuel Davies (1724 – 1761)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

From “The Nature and Universality of Spiritual Death” by Samuel Davies “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right...

The more the Bible is studied! by Frederick Marsh, (1858-1931)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

My conviction is that the more the Bible is studied–the more there is found in it to be studied. Fresh light, strength, joy, help, grace, and blessing–break out from it! Scripture is like . . . the dawn–ever new in its light; the air–ever fresh...

“Four Degrees of Love” by Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“Four Degrees of Love” from the Treatise “On the Love of God,” by Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153)You ask me, “why should God be loved?” I answer: the reason for loving God is God Himself. And why should God be loved for His own sake? Simply...

Christ, Who is Our Life, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-1892

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

Christ, Who is Our Life, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, from the August 10th Morning and Evening Devotions “Christ, who is our life.” — Colossians 3:4 Source Paul’s marvelously rich expression indicates, that Christ is the source of our life. “You...

The Furnace of Affliction! by William Nicholson and Milburn Cockrell, mid 19th century

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

The Furnace of Affliction! by William Nicholson and Milburn Cockrell “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 “The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor,” the wicked. This remark will hold...

The Value of Things by James Meikle, August 1, 1765

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

People like to make lists, such as task lists, shopping lists, pros and cons lists, favorites lists, bucket lists, best-of lists, brainstorming lists, books-I’ve-read or books-I-want-to-read lists, checklists, sometimes even list of lists– you get the idea!...

“And We Ought to be Content with That” by James Smith, circa 1840s

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“And We Ought to be Content with That” by James Smith, circa 1840s But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing–we will be content with that. 1 Timothy...

God, the Refuge of His People! by William Nicholson, 1862

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

God, the Refuge of His People! by William Nicholson, 1862 We can learn so much from the Great Cloud of Witnesses who have gone before us.  May they always be remembered and revered for their faithfulness and their words that live on for our inspiration and...

Nevertheless I am continually with You! by Thomas Moor ( 1882)

by Reasons for Hope* Jesus

“Nevertheless I am continually with You! You hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:23 This is the utterance of a faith which triumphs over contradictory circumstances and contradictory experiences. Believer in Jesus, bear in mind that this...