Surely Here Is Ground For Hope: If God Be For Me

I hope because... 

• I have an interest in an everlasting covenant, 
• a covenant ordered in all things and sure. 

The stamp of heaven is upon me. 

• The marks of the Lord Jesus are on my soul. 
• Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, have all engaged to carry out my soul’s salvation. 
• There is a threefold cord around me which never yet was broken. 

Surely, here is ground for hope.

I hope because I have a Savior, 

• whose blood can cleanse from all sin,—

A Savior who invites all, 

• and casts out none that come to Him,—

A Savior who will not break the bruised reed, 

• nor quench the smoking flax,—

A Savior who can be touched with the feeling of your infirmities, 

• and is not ashamed to call you brethren,—

A Savior who never alters, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, 

• always able to save to the uttermost, always mighty to save. 

Surely here is ground for hope.

I hope, because the love of Christ is a love that passes knowledge. 

• So free and undeserved! 
• So costly, even unto death! 
• So powerful and all-conquering! 
• So unchanging and enduring! 
• So patient and forbearing! 
• So tender and sympathizing! 

Truly my sins pass knowledge, 

• and this is the very love my soul needs. 

Surely here is ground for hope.

I hope because God has given to me exceeding great and precious promises,—

• promises of being kept unto the end,—
• promises of grace for every time of need, and strength according to my day,—
• promises that never yet were broken, all yea and amen in Christ Jesus. 

Surely here is ground for hope.

If I am a believer, these things are a strong foundation. 

• If God be for me, who shall be against me? 
• There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. 
• Nothing shall ever separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Adapted Excerpt From

Startling Questions

J. C. Ryle