December 14

Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son. — 1 John 5:10 BSB

The most important question to settle in a person's heart is whether they belong to Christ or not. Only the Lord can provide the answer to this. Blessed is the one who has the assurance within themselves, which comes through faith in the Son of God, as John writes: "Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in themselves." This is the inner witness of the Spirit, as Paul says: "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." Have you ever had this testimony in your heart that you are a child of God? If not, what signs or evidences of His grace has He given you? Can you not recall anything the Lord has done for you in the past—a promise that became real to you, a sense of His presence, a moment when His love touched you, or an experience that softened your heart and gave you peace and assurance? It may not have lasted long or gone very deep, but when it happened, it was a sign that you belonged to Christ.

You remember the time and the circumstances—the darkness, distress, and bondage before—and the sweet freedom that followed. But still, you feel unsatisfied. You long for the Lord to come again, for another smile, another word, another look, another promise, or another testimony. Without it, your soul often sinks into doubt and fear.

This is the path most of God's people walk. I won’t say all, because some are blessed with a more constant testimony, though even they experience deep lows and heavy trials. For most, it’s a mixed journey. Sometimes they receive a smile from the Lord, but then their minds are filled with darkness, making it hard to see any evidence of His presence. Then the sun shines again, but the darkness returns, and they sink back into doubt, guilt, and fear. Then the Lord appears again, and they love, hope, and rejoice once more. And so it goes, the scene ever-changing, like an April day. Yet they press on until the end, when the Lord usually appears, scatters all their doubts and fears, and grants them a peaceful departure into His eternal rest.