Let the expectation of this triumph stimulate thee to prepare for it. Prepare for it by,
1. A steadfast adherence to the faith —
[Much will thy faith be tried : temptations from without and from within will assuredly assault thee : perhaps even the glorious truths contained in our text may be wrested from thee by thy great adversary, so that thou shalt be led to question the reality of them, or thine interest in them. But " be stead- fast, and immoveable ;" " holding fast the profession of thy faith without wavering." " Fight the good fight of faith :" " quit thyself like a man :" whoever would " move thee from the hope of the Gospel," withstand him : whoever would turn thee aside from the right path, or discourage thee in running thy heavenly race, regard him not ; but " run on with patience, looking unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of thy faith."]
2. A dihgent performance of thy duty —
[The Lord has given thee a work to do : O engage in it with all thy heart. Has he assigned thee any office whereby thou may est be useful in advancing his kingdom in the world? " Give thyself wholly to it." Do the interests of thine own soul call for thine attention ? " Forget all that is behind, and press forward for that which is before." Be not content with small measures of service ; but seek to " abound in the work of the Lord ;" and this, not on some particular occasions only, but *' always," from day to day, and from year to year, " never being weary in well-doing," but exerting yourselves the more, in proportion as your time for performing it is cut short. Think what is that work whei'e you may best serve and glorify your Lord ; and " make it your meat and drink to do it :" yea, " what- ever thine hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might."]
3. An assured expectation of thy reward —
[Moses himself " looked to the recompence of the reward," as did also the martyrs of old, who " refused to accept deliver- ance from their tortures, that they might obtain a better resurrection." If you had no prospect of future happiness, there would be some reason for that Epicurean maxim, " Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." But when you con- sider how short your present trials are, and how rich will be the recompence for all your labours, it were madness to draw back. Look at those who have already entered into their rest, and ask. Whether they repent of their former labours : or look at the glory that awaits thee, and then think whether the possession of it will not richly compensate all that thou canst do or sufl^er for thy I^ord. " The Lord is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works and labours of love :" No : he