May 18

Morning

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. — Col 2:9-10 BSB

All the attributes of Christ, as both God and man, are ours to benefit from. While we cannot possess the divine attributes themselves, Christ has made them work for our salvation. His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability, and infallibility are all enlisted in our defense and for our eternal good. Believer, rise and see the Lord Jesus Himself utilizing all the fullness of His Godhead to pull the chariot of salvation! How vast is His grace, how firm His faithfulness, how unwavering His constancy, how infinite His power, and how boundless His wisdom! All these divine perfections form the foundation of our salvation and are covenanted to us as part of our everlasting inheritance.

Every drop of the love in Christ’s heart is ours. Every ounce of His strength, every jewel in His crown, every measure of His divine knowledge and justice is committed to our care and protection. The entirety of Christ, in all His glory and power as the Son of God, is ours to enjoy. His wisdom is our guidance, His knowledge our instruction, His power our defense, His justice our guarantee, His love our comfort, His mercy our solace, and His immutability our trust. Nothing is held back from us. He bids us to explore the depths of His divine riches and assures us that all He has is ours.

How sweet it is to behold Jesus, knowing that in Him we have everything promised and more. May we approach Him confidently, asking for His love and power, knowing that He has already promised it all to us.

Evening

No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. — Heb 12:11 BSB

How happy are Christians after they have been tried! No peace is as deep as the peace that follows a storm. Who hasn’t rejoiced in the clear skies that follow a heavy rain? The sweetest rest comes after labor, and the richest honey after the lion has been slain. After climbing the difficult hills of life, we rest in the shelter of God’s grace. After battling through humiliation and facing spiritual enemies, we are comforted by God’s healing touch. Our sorrows often leave behind a silver trail of light, as they remind us of the peace and victory that come after the battle.

Consider the blessed condition of a Christian: while we may endure the worst trials now, our best is always yet to come. Even our hardest challenges lead to fruitful harvests, and our losses turn into riches. We rise after falling and find life after dying. If our trials yield such peace in this life, what greater joy must await us in heaven? If our darkest nights shine as bright as the world’s days, how glorious will our heavenly days be? If we can sing God’s praises from the depths of a dungeon, how much sweeter will our songs be when we stand in His presence? If we can praise Him through suffering now, how much more will we glorify Him when we stand before His throne?

Blessed is the “afterward” for the Christian. Who wouldn’t endure the present trials for the crown that comes afterward? But this requires patience, for the full reward is not for today—it is yet to come. So, wait patiently, O soul, and let patience complete its work.