“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword” (Romans 8:32–35).

Christ’s kingdom is not of this world. It is an eternal kingdom. He came to suffer and to die for His people, taking their guilt and sins, and imputing to them His righteousness. This is the hope of His people. He took all their sin, burying them in the grave never to be remembered again, and giving His people the right to eternal life. But more was needed! “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Cor. 15:12–14).

His birth, suffering, and death was and is an eternal wonder, making the cross of Christ the dividing line of eternal woe and eternal bliss. The resurrection makes the redeemed sinner’s justification an eternal reality. God, in His lovingkindness, accepted the payment by His Son for every sin of His people, and they are raised in Him as heirs of eternal life.

Death for His people is now only the vehicle bringing them to Jesus Christ to be with Him in glory. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:3–5). Death has no more power over His people. They will bask in eternal joy with the One they love. That joy will fill heaven praising the triune God of their salvation. “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zeph. 3:14–17).

To be with Christ is to be in the land of perfect holiness, not only conformed to His image, but to be like Him! This becomes the desire of God’s true but afflicted people as they travel through this wilderness. The joy of this world pales in comparison to their eternal home. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is even now in heaven, interceding for us without ceasing.

What do you think of Jesus? The world rejects Him. The only joy they have is in this life and will end in eternal misery forever. “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:17–19).

The Lord my Shepherd holds me within His tender care,

And with His flock He folds me, no want shall find me there.

In pastures green He leads me, with plenty I am blessed;

By quiet streams He leads me and makes me safely rest.

Whatever ills betides me, He will restore and bless;

For His Name’s sake He guides me in paths of righteousness.

Thy rod and staff shall cheer me in death’s dark vale and shade,

For Thou wilt then be near me: I shall not be afraid.

My food Thou dost appoint me, supplied before my foes;

With oil Thou dost anoint me, my cup of bliss o’er-flows.

Thy goodness, Lord shall guide me, Thy mercy cheer my way;

A home Thou wilt provide me within Thy house for aye.

Psalter 55 (Psalm 23