Reading: “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20

Daily DevotionalsAs concerning the flesh of Christ which He took in His incarnation—that which was apprehended by the Jews, and crucified upon a tree, buried, and rose again, and appeared after His resurrection—He said, “Ye shall not ever have me with you.” Why so? Because, as concerning His flesh He went up into heaven, and is not here. But by the presence of His divine majesty He did not depart. We have Christ ever with us.

St. Augustine repeating one thing often; and all to declare and teach how we should understand the manner of Christ’s being here with us—which is by His grace, by His providence, and by His divine nature; and how He is absent by His natural body, died, and rose for us, and is ascended into heaven, and there sitteth, on the right hand of God, and thence He shall come on the latter day, to judge the living and the dead.

At the which day, the righteous shall then lift up their heads: and the light of God’s truth shall so shine, that falsehood and errors shall be put unto perpetual confusion. Righteousness shall have the upper hand, and truth that day shall bear away the victory; and all the enemies thereof be quite overthrown, to be trodden under foot for evermore. O Lord, Lord, I beseech thee, hasten this day. Then shalt thou be glorified with the glory due unto thy holy name and unto thy divine majesty; and we shall sing unto Thee, in all joy and felicity, laud and praise for evermore. Amen.

“I rejoice in the hope of that glory to be revealed, for it is no uncertain glory that we look for. Our hope is not hung upon such an untwisted thread as, “I imagine so,” or “It is likely,” but the cable, the strong tow of our fastened anchor, is the oath and promise of Him who is eternal verity. Our salvation is fastened with God’s own hand, and with Christ’s own strength, to the strong stake of God’s unchangeable nature.”—Samuel Rutherford

Adapted from Nicholas Ridley (Works, 43)