October 4

Morning

It will be a day known only to the LORD, without day or night; but when evening comes, there will be light. — Zech 14:7 BSB

Too often we look ahead to old age with fear, forgetting that “at evening time, it shall be light.” For many saints, old age is the sweetest season of life. A gentler breeze blows upon the soul as the believer nears the shore of eternity. The waves of life grow calmer, and deep peace reigns. The fire of youthful passion may have faded, but a steady flame of deep love for Jesus remains. These pilgrims have reached the land of Beulah, that heavenly place where the days feel like heaven on earth. Angels visit this land, and celestial breezes blow across it. Flowers of paradise bloom here, and the air is filled with heavenly music. Some dwell here for years, while others only arrive shortly before their departure, but it is a true Eden on earth.

How we long for the time when we will rest in these peaceful groves, content in the hope of what’s to come, until the fullness of glory is revealed. The setting sun of life appears larger and more beautiful than when it was high in the sky, and a golden glow settles over the clouds as it sinks. The pain of the body doesn’t disrupt the peace of this twilight hour, for God’s strength, made perfect in weakness, upholds His people. Here, the ripest fruits of a lifetime of experience are harvested, and the soul prepares itself for eternal rest.

Even in the hour of death, the Lord’s people shall have light. While unbelief mourns and says, “The night is falling, life is ending,” faith declares, “The night is nearly over, and the true day is dawning!” The light of immortality, the light of the Father’s face, is coming!

Gather your feet into the bed, dear saint, and behold the waiting hosts of angels! They are ready to carry you home. Farewell, beloved—you are leaving this world. We see your hand waving goodbye. Ah, now it is light! The pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the light of heaven. We on earth cover our eyes, but you behold the glory of the unseen. Farewell, dear brother or sister, you now have light at evening time, a light we have yet to experience.

Evening

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. — 1 John 2:1 BSB

“If anyone sins, we have an advocate.” Yes, even if we sin, we still have Him. John doesn’t say, “If anyone sins, they forfeit their advocate,” but rather, “we have an advocate,” even though we are sinners. No sin a believer commits can ever destroy their standing with the Lord Jesus Christ as their advocate.

The name given to our Lord here is rich with meaning. “Jesus.” Ah, then He is the advocate we need, for His very name means salvation. “They shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” His name assures us of His success.

Then He is called “Christ”—the Anointed One. This shows His authority to plead on our behalf. Christ has the right to stand before the Father because He is God’s appointed advocate and chosen priest. If He had been our choice, He might fail, but since God has laid the responsibility upon Him, we can confidently trust Him with our case. He is Christ, and therefore fully authorized.

He is also Christ, fully qualified, for His anointing has perfectly equipped Him for His role. He knows how to plead with tenderness and power, and He knows how to move the heart of God in our favor. What words of love and persuasion will He use when He stands to plead for us!

Lastly, He is called “the righteous.” This is not only His character but also His argument. It is His character, and if the righteous One is our advocate, then our case is just, or He wouldn’t have taken it on. It is also His plea, for He answers the charges of unrighteousness against us by standing in our place and declaring His own righteousness on our behalf. He presents His obedience as ours. My soul, you have a perfect advocate—He will not fail! Entrust your entire case to Him.