January 29

Morning

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. — 2 Cor 4:18 BSB

In our Christian walk, it’s good to mostly keep our eyes looking forward. Ahead lies the crown, and onward is our goal. Whether for hope, joy, comfort, or to inspire love, the future must always be the grand focus of our faith. Looking forward, we see sin defeated, our sinful nature destroyed, and our souls perfected, ready to share in the inheritance with the saints. Looking even further, we can envision crossing the river of death, leaving behind its dark waters, and reaching the hills of light where the heavenly city stands. We imagine ourselves entering through the pearly gates, welcomed as more than conquerors, crowned by Christ Himself, embraced by Jesus, glorified with Him, and seated with Him on His throne, just as He overcame and sat down with the Father.

Thinking about my glorious future can lighten the darkness of my past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely outweigh the sorrows of earth! Quiet your fears, my soul—death is just a narrow stream, and you’ll soon cross it. Time is short, but eternity is long! Death is brief, but immortality is forever! I feel as if I can already taste the fruit from the land of promise, and drink from the well that flows within the heavenly gates. The journey is short—I’ll be there soon!

“In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing!” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Evening

And behold, the dove returned to him in the evening with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. — Gen 8:11 BSB

Blessed be the Lord for another day of mercy—even though I’m weary from its labors. To the One who preserves all life, I lift my song of gratitude. Just like the dove that found no rest outside the ark, my soul has learned today, more than ever, that there is no true satisfaction in earthly things—only God can give my spirit rest.

My work, possessions, family, and accomplishments—while good in their own way—cannot fill the longings of my eternal soul. “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”

As evening closes in and the day comes to an end, may I, like the dove, return to my Master. The dove could not bear to spend the night wandering over the restless waters, and neither can I endure another hour without Jesus, the rest for my heart and the home for my spirit. The dove didn’t just land on the ark’s roof, but entered inside to be with its Master. In the same way, I long to enter into the depths of God’s truth and dwell in the secret place of His presence. I must come to Jesus—nothing short of the closest communion with Him will satisfy my soul. “Blessed Lord Jesus, stay with me, reveal Yourself to me, and remain with me through the night—so that when I wake, I am still with You!”

I notice that the dove brought back an olive branch, a sign of hope from the day, and a promise for the future. Don’t I have something to bring too? Surely, I have a reason to give thanks for the Lord’s tender mercies that have been new every morning and fresh every evening. And now, I ask You, Lord—reach out Your hand and bring Your dove into Your arms!