divert our God-given faculty of hope from its true object? Why
torment ourselves with casting the fashion of uncertain evils, when
we can enter into the great peace of looking for 'that blessed Hope'?

II. The safe Hands which keep the future.

'The Father hath put in His own power.' We have not to depend upon an
impersonal Fate; nor upon a wild whirl of Chance; nor upon 'laws of
averages,' 'natural laws,' 'tendencies' and 'spirit of the age'; nor
even on a theistic Providence, but upon a Father who holds all things
'in His own power,' and wields all for us. So will not our way be
made right?

Whatever the future may bring, it will be loving, paternal
discipline. He shapes it all and keeps it in His hands. Why should we
be anxious? That great name of 'Father' binds Him to tender, wise,
disciplinary dealing, and should move us to calm and happy trust.

III. The sufficient strength to face the future.

'The power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you' is promised here to the
disciples for a specific purpose; but it is promised and given to us
all through Christ, if we will only take it. And in Him we shall be
ready for all the future.

The Spirit of God is the true Interpreter of Providence. He calms our
nature, and enlightens our understanding to grasp the meaning of all
our experiences. The Spirit makes joy more blessed, by keeping us
from undue absorption in it. The Spirit is the Comforter. The Spirit
fits us for duty.