Throughout Advent, we remembered God’s faithful promise of the birth of the Christ child in the fullness of time. Then, the weeks of Passion focused on His death and resurrection to bring in and open the way of salvation for hell-bound sinners. Not only was salvation won and paid for, but the risen Christ revealed Himself to His disciples for forty days. He ascended into heaven receiving the crown of glory and now sits at the right hand of power. “And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62).
This glorious truth is passed over by many, but for those who look for Jesus, it increases their love for the One who so loved them. Living in the wilderness of this world, we look for Christ and begin more and more to hate sin because it is an offense to the One we love. We want to be rid of the three-headed enemy—the world, Satan, and self. Self is the insufferable enemy. We desire to be perfectly holy, but sin separates us from God. Hear Paul as he cries but trusts in his God: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Rom. 7:24–25).
But Christ’s work in gathering His kingdom, the church, is ongoing. He sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, empowering His apostles as He promised to preach His Word to a world filled with sinners. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:19–20). In this, we see the unity in trinity at work using weak means (men) to fulfill His Word. The glorious gospel, the good news, is brought by men ordained by God. The Spirit opens hearts to receive the word of grace. This will continue until Jesus, the glorious King, comes on the clouds of heaven to judge the world in righteousness.
God is a covenant-keeping God. His love is revealed in the hearts of His people. He uses the preached Word, and families are also added by parents teaching their children about Jesus. “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein” (Luke 18:16–17). This should be the prayer of every parent. “I bring the children Thou hast given me to Thee, and in prayer remember them. In mercy draw them close to Thee. Let Thy Word be fulfilled and Thy kingdom come in their hearts, and let Thy love bring them to truly love Thee.” God has loaned us these children and will answer those prayers. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29).
The time that God gives us on earth is very short. The King of Glory is coming; are you waiting and looking for Him?
Let God rejoice in all His works,
and let His works proclaim
Forevermore their Maker’s praise
and glorify His Name.
Psalter 288:2 (Psalm 104)
Mr. Cornelius VanKempen known as Case, has been married to Susan for sixty blessed years. They attend and are members of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI.