"Abraham against hope believed in hope." --- Romans 4:18.
O my soul, thou hast not one single promise only, like Abraham, but a thousand promises, and many patterns of faithful believers, before thee; it behoves thee, therefore, to rely with confidence upon the word of God. And though the Lord delayeth his help, and the evil seemeth to grow worse and worse, be not weak, but rather strong, and rejoice; since the most glorious promises of God are generally fulfilled in such a wondrous manner, that he steps forth to save us at a time when there is the least appearance of it.
He commonly brings his help in our greatest extremity, that his finger may plainly appear in our deliverances. And this method he chooses, that we may not trust upon anything that we see or feel, as we are often apt to do, but only upon his bare word, which we may depend upon in every state.
How large the promises, how divine,
To Abra'am and his seed!
"I'll be a God to thee and thine,
Supplying all their need."
The words of this extensive love
From age to age endure;
The Angel of the cov'nant proves,
And seals the blessing sure.
Our God, how faithful are his ways!
His love endures the same!
Nor from the promise of his grace
Blots out the children's name.