What says David? "I hope in thy word" "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope" (Ps. 119:49). What says Paul? "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). If our hope is sound, we ought to be able to turn to some text or fact or doctrine of God's Word as the source of it. Our confidence must arise from something which God has caused to be written in the Bible for our learning and which our heart has received and believed
It is not enough to have the good opinion of others about the state of our souls. We may be told by others on our deathbeds to keep up our spirits and not to be afraid. We may be reminded that we have lived good lives, or had a good heart, or done nobody any harm, or not been so bad as many. And all this time our friends may not bring forward a word of Scripture and may be feeding us poison! Such friends are miserable comforters. However well-meaning, they are downright enemies to our souls. The good opinion of others without the warrant of God's Word will never make up a good hope.
I warn everyone to beware of a hope not drawn from Scripture. It is a false hope, and many will find out this to their cost. That glorious and perfect book, the Bible, however people despise it, is the only fountain out of which man's soul can derive peace. Many sneer at the old book while living who find their need of it when dying. Honor your Bible, read your Bible, stick to your Bible. There is not on earth a scrap of solid hope for the other side of the grave which is not drawn out of the Word.
Adapted from Our Great Redeemer: 365 Days with J. C. Ryle
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