June 25

Morning

Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” — Isa 40:9 BSB

Our knowledge of Christ is much like climbing a mountain. When you are at the base, you see only a little—the mountain itself seems only half as high as it really is. Confined to the valley, you can hardly see anything beyond the small streams trickling down its slopes. But as you climb the first hill, the valley stretches out, revealing a wider view. Climb higher, and the country for miles around opens up before you. The further you go, the more the scene enlarges, until at the summit, you can look in every direction and see miles upon miles of beauty—forests, rivers, seas, towns, and even distant ships in a busy harbor. You stand in awe, saying, “I never imagined the view could be this vast and beautiful.”

The Christian life is much like this. When we first believe in Christ, our view of Him is limited. But as we ascend in faith, we discover more of His beauty and grace. Yet, who among us has ever reached the summit? Who has fully comprehended the heights and depths of Christ’s love, which surpasses all understanding? Even the apostle Paul, near the end of his life, could say with more certainty than we ever could, “I know whom I have believed.” His years of faith had been like climbing a mountain, each trial bringing him closer to the summit. His death was like reaching the peak, from which he could see the full scope of Christ’s faithfulness and love. So, my dear friend, climb higher! Seek a fuller view of Christ today.

Evening

But the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him in the ark, because the waters were still covering the surface of all the earth. So he reached out his hand and brought her back inside the ark. — Gen 8:9 BSB

Reader, can you find rest apart from the ark, Christ Jesus? If so, be assured that your faith is in vain. Are you content without a conscious union with Christ, without knowing for sure that you belong to Him? If so, beware! If you claim to be a Christian but find your satisfaction in worldly pleasures and pursuits, your profession is false. If your soul can stretch out in comfort, finding rest in the chambers of sin, your faith is hypocritical, and you are far from a true understanding of Christ's worth.

However, if you feel that even if you could indulge in sin without consequences, it would still be a misery to you; if the thought of having the whole world without God brings no joy—then take heart, for you are a child of God. With all your flaws and failings, find comfort in this: if your soul cannot rest in sin, you are not like the sinner. If your heart is still longing for something better, Christ has not forgotten you, for you have not forgotten Him.

The believer cannot do without his Lord. Words cannot express what Christ means to him. He cannot live on the dry sands of the wilderness—he needs the manna from heaven. The empty comforts of this world provide no nourishment, but he drinks from the Rock that follows him, and that Rock is Christ. When you feast on Christ, your soul sings, “He satisfies me with good things, renewing my strength like the eagle’s.” But without Him, even the fullest barns and overflowing wine vats bring no joy. Instead, you will lament with the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!”