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 is there  any  reason  to  doubt  the  word  and  promise  of  Him who is  truth  itself?

It is  for  this  reason  that  hope  has  been  compared  to  the anchor of  a  ship,  and  this  comparison  is  consecrated  by  the Apostle St. Paul in  his  Epistles.

Should a  vessel  lose  all  its  rigging  in  a  tempest,  if  there still remain  an  anchor&gt;  there  is  hope  that  the  crew  may yet be  saved.

The same  thing  might  be  said  of  the  confidence  in  God; and it  was  for  want  of  having  recourse  to  this  that  Cain and Judas  perished  in  their  sins.

The first  had  angered  God  by  jealousy  and  a  cruel fratricide; but  what  put  the  climax  to  the  curse  was  Cain saying in  despair,  "My  crime  is  too  great  for  any  hope  of pardon."

The second  repents  of  the  shameful  treachery  he  had committed against  the  Son  of  God;  but,  says  St.  Chrysostom,  had  he  confided  in  the  goodness  of  his  Divine  Master, had he  returned  to  implore  His  mercy,  our  dear  Redeemer, who pardoned  St.  Peter  and  who  prayed  for  His  executioners, would  no  doubt  have  led  this  traitor  back  to penance.

This confidence  in  God  has  also  another  advantage:  it is  a  mighty  help  against  temptations. This is  what  the Gospel says  so  plainly,  "In  hope  you  will  find  your strength; "  and  again,  "  I  shall  hope,  and  there  will  be nothing  to  weaken  me." In fine,  what  more  powerful than having  confidence  in  God?

To confide  in  God,  is  to  lean  upon  Him. It is  to  call for His  assistance,  His  goodness,  His  truth,  His  power.

With such  arms,  what  can  any  one  fear;  for  what  can prevail against  God? Paratum cor  ejus  sperare  in  Domino, conformatum est  cor  ejus;  non  commovebitur. It is  in  this confidence that  one  finds  such  fervent  charity. This is easy  to  see  by  the  difference  there  is  between  a  presuming