December 20

Morning

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion. — Jer 31:3 BSB

Sometimes, the Lord Jesus speaks His love directly to His Church. He doesn’t just tell others about His love behind her back; He says it right to her face: “You are absolutely beautiful, My beloved!” This may not be His usual way—He is a wise Lover and knows when to keep back His love and when to express it fully—but there are moments when He makes His love unmistakably clear. There are times when He puts it beyond all doubt in the hearts of His people.

The Holy Spirit often bears witness to the love of Christ in a most gracious way, revealing His love to us. We don’t need a voice from the clouds or a vision in the night. The testimony we have in our hearts by the Holy Spirit is more sure than any of those. If an angel came from heaven to personally tell us of the Savior’s love, it would not be more convincing than the assurance given by the Holy Spirit within us! Ask those saints who have walked closest to the gates of heaven, and they will tell you they’ve had times when the love of Christ was so clear, so undeniable, that they could no more doubt it than they could question their own existence!

Yes, beloved believer, you and I have had moments of refreshment in the presence of the Lord, times when our faith soared to the heights of full assurance. We have leaned our heads on the chest of our Lord and felt no doubt about His love for us—just as John did when he rested against Jesus. The dark question, “Lord, is it I who will betray You?” has been far from our minds. Instead, His kisses have dispelled our doubts, and His embrace has been sweeter than wine to our souls!

Evening

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.’ — Matt 20:8 BSB

God is a good paymaster. He rewards His servants even while they’re working, not just when they’ve finished their tasks. One of His payments is the blessing of a clear conscience. If you’ve faithfully spoken of Jesus to just one person, you can go to bed at night with the comforting thought, “Today I have done what I could for that person’s soul.” There is great satisfaction in serving Jesus. What joy it brings to place jewels in His crown and to help Him see the fruit of His suffering!

There is also great reward in seeing the first signs of conviction in a soul. You may think to yourself, “That girl in my class seems so tender-hearted—I hope the Lord is working in her.” Or you might go home and pray for a boy who said something that made you believe he understands more of God’s truth than you realized. Oh, the joy of hopeful anticipation!

But the joy of success—when a soul is truly won for Christ—is beyond words. It’s a joy that leaves you longing for more. To be a soul-winner is the happiest thing in the world. With every soul you lead to Christ, you experience a little taste of heaven on earth. But who can imagine the bliss that awaits us above? How sweet will be the words, “Enter into the joy of your Lord!”

Do you know the joy that Christ feels over a saved sinner? That very same joy will be yours in heaven. When Christ ascends His throne, you will ascend with Him. When the heavens resound with the cry, “Well done, well done!” you will share in the reward! You have worked with Him, suffered with Him, and now you will reign with Him. You have sown the seeds with Him, and you will reap the harvest with Him. Your face, once covered with the sweat of labor, will shine with the glory of heaven. Your soul, once grieved by the sins of men, will now be filled with unspeakable joy—just as His is!