February 4

He Will Return

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. — John 14:18 BSB

He left us, but we are not left as orphans. He is our comfort, and though He is gone, we are not comfortless. Our comfort is that He will come to us, and this is enough to sustain us through His absence. Jesus is already on His way; He says, “I come quickly.” He is rushing toward us. He says, “I will come,” and no one can stop His coming or delay it for even a moment. He specifically says, “I will come to you,” and so He will. His coming is especially for His own people. This is meant to be our present comfort while we long for the Bridegroom to appear.

When we lose the joyful sense of His presence, we mourn, but we should not sorrow as if there were no hope. Our Lord may have hidden Himself from us for a brief moment in anger, but He will return in full favor. He may leave us in a sense, but only in a sense. When He withdraws, He leaves a promise behind that He will return. O Lord, come quickly! There is no life in this earthly existence if You are gone. We long for the return of Your sweet smile. When will You come to us? We are certain You will appear, but be like a swift deer, or a young gazelle. Do not delay, O our God!