But if we hope for that we see not - If we have a well-grounded expectation of our resurrection and final glorification, knowing that such things are necessarily future, and must for a certain time be delayed; then do we patiently wait for them, continue patiently to endure the common ills of life, and whatever tribulations we may be exposed to in consequence of our Christian profession; for we know, Faithful is he who has promised. Hope is a sort of universal blessing, and one of the greatest which God has granted to man. To mankind, in general, life would be intolerable without it; and it is as necessary as faith is even to the followers of God.

The ancients have a very instructive and elegant fable concerning it. "Prometheus having made a human body, went up to heaven, and stole some celestial fire to animate it: Jupiter, incensed at the theft, sent down Pandora, with a box full of diseases and plagues of every kind, as an ensnaring present to Prometheus; but he refused to accept it. Epimetheus took and opened it, and instantly all those diseases, etc., by which mankind have been made miserable, flew out, and spread themselves over the whole earth; and only Hope remained at the bottom of the box." This fable explains itself, as to its main design. Men find life, with its various and unavoidable ills, only supportable by the hope they have of not only getting safely through them, but of enjoying a state of blessedness in the end. Hope is still at the bottom; and therefore man is encouraged to bear up in all the pressures of life. Take away hope, and then black despair and indescribable wretchedness would be the instant result. Hope stands justly among the highest mercies of God.

with patience.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves...

Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Genesis 49:18 I have waited for your salvation, O LORD.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 37:7-9 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way...

Psalm 62:1,5,6 Truly my soul waits on God: from him comes my salvation...

Psalm 130:5-7 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope...

Isaiah 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, See, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD...

Isaiah 26:8 Yes, in the way of your judgments, O LORD, have we waited for you; the desire of our soul is to your name...

Lamentations 3:25,26 The LORD is good to them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him...

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it...

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess you your souls.

Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ...

2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Hebrews 6:12,15 That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises...

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight...

James 1:3,4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience...

James 5:7-11 Be patient therefore, brothers, to the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth...

Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ...

Revelation 13:10 He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword...

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

October 12. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). The life of Jesus Christ brought into our heart by the Holy Spirit, operates there as a new law of divine strength and vitality, and counteracts, overcomes and lifts us above the old law of sin and death. Let us illustrate these two laws by a simple comparison. Look at my hand. By the law of gravitation it naturally falls upon the desk and lies there, attracted downward by that natural law which makes heavy bodies fall …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience.
Text: Romans 8, 18-22. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 8, 18-22. REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. 1. We have heard how Paul comforts the Christians in their sufferings, pointing them to the future inconceivable and eternal glory to be revealed in us in the world to come; and how he has, for our greater consolation, reminded us that the whole creation as one being suffers in company with the Christian Church. We have noted how he sees, with the clear, keen eye of an apostle, the holy cross in every creature. He brings out this …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III