Daily Devotionals

Bowen's Daily Meditations

Devotional: February 23rd

" So shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

One of the last desires to which Christ gave utterance before leaving this world, was expressed in these words: " Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am." And these words " I am," have a meaning that is very vast, referring perhaps to his place in the affections of the Father, to his moral purity, and specially to the manifestation of his divine glory. " I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." When Peter saw his Lord transfigured, he wished the blissful hour to endure forever. But the time had not yet come for him to be forever with his glorified Redeemer. It was needful that he himself should fight the good fight of faith, and come off conqueror - be made like unto Christ spiritually, and at last in eternal glory.

" Lo, I am with you always," says Christ, " even to the end of the world." Till then, he is with us the object of faith; afterwards the blessed object of sight. " Ye believe in God the Father, whom ye see not; believe also in me, spiritually present with you." They that are most affected by the glorious anticipation of perpetual residence with Christ in glory, are most assiduous in the endeavor to discern his presence here, and walk with him on the earth. He has promised to manifest himself to us in this our pilgrimage; and in vain we look for that future beatification with him, if we have not these promised manifestations. To be ever with the Lord, is to be never with our sins, never with the tempter, never with sorrow; ever with love, ever with wisdom, ever with power, ever with glory, and ever with rapture; ever with the Lord; ever with all that love the Lord.

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