August 23

Morning

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her. — Isa 65:19 BSB

The glorified weep no more, for all causes of grief are gone! There are no broken friendships or shattered hopes in heaven. Poverty, famine, danger, persecution, and slander do not exist there. No pain troubles them, no thought of death or loss brings sorrow.

They weep no more because they are perfectly sanctified. No "evil heart of unbelief" leads them to stray from the living God. They stand faultless before His throne, fully conformed to His image! How could they mourn, having ceased to sin?

They weep no more because all fear of change is over. They know they are eternally secure. Sin is shut out, and they are safely shut in. They dwell in a city that can never be overthrown. They bask in a sun that will never set. They drink from a river that will never dry up. They gather fruit from a tree that will never wither.

Countless ages may pass, but eternity will not be exhausted; and while it endures, their immortality and blessedness will endure with it. They are forever with the Lord!

They weep no more because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything they do not fully possess. Eye, ear, heart, hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire—all are completely satisfied.

Though our present understanding of the blessings God has prepared for those who love Him is limited, we know enough through the Spirit’s revelation to be assured that the glorified saints are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is infinite and full, is in them. They forever swim in the bottomless, boundless sea of infinite joy.

And this same joyful rest awaits us! It may not be far off. Soon, the weeping willow will be traded for the palm of victory. Sorrow’s tears will become the pearls of everlasting joy.

"The sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more."

"Therefore comfort one another with these words."

Evening

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, — Eph 3:17 BSB

It is exceedingly desirable that we, as believers, keep Jesus ever before us, to ignite our love for Him and deepen our understanding of Him. I long for every reader to become a diligent student in the school of Christ, fully devoted to learning at the cross. But for Jesus to be constantly near, our hearts must be filled with Him, overflowing with His love. That is why the apostle prays, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts." Notice how close he wants Jesus to be! You can’t get any closer than having someone live in your heart.

"That He may dwell," not just visit occasionally, like a guest who stops by for a night, but that He may take up permanent residence—Jesus, the Lord of your heart, never leaving!

The apostle prays that Christ may dwell not just in our thoughts but in our affections; not just in the mind’s meditations but in the heart’s deepest emotions. We should long for a love for Christ that endures—not a love that flares up and then fades into embers, but one that burns steadily, fueled by sacred devotion, like the fire on the altar that never went out.

But this kind of love only comes through faith. A strong faith is needed for a fervent love, just as a healthy root is needed for a sweet blossom. Faith is the root, and love is the flower.

Reader, Jesus cannot dwell in your heart’s love unless you hold fast to Him with your heart’s faith. So pray that your faith may always be strong so that your love may always be deep. If your love grows cold, you can be sure that your faith is weakening too!