SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MARCH 12

 

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:

and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 
Now the Lord visits his people, and
   manifests himself unto them,
   as he does not unto the world;
   and such visits are very sweet,
   such manifestations cheer and confirm our faith.
 
But in a little time he will come to fetch us home. He may send death first, to introduce our souls into his presence; we may be called upon to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than our present circumstances.
 
But he will come himself soon,
  he will raise our bodies from the grave,
     conform both soul and body to his own likeness,
          we shall be caught up to meet him in the air, and,
                “so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
 
This will be our heaven.
 
This will be our portion.
 
We shall be for ever like him, and for ever with him.
 
How different to our present lot.
 
What a glorious object for faith to fix upon.
 
What a cheering subject for the mind to be engaged with.
 
For ever with the Lord, that will it not include, that is glorious!
 
For ever with the Lord, what will it not exclude, that is unpleasant or disagreeable!
 
Let me close this day reflecting upon this glorious prospect, anticipating this delightful charge.
 

For ever with the Lord:

Amen, so let it be:

Life from the dead is in that word,

‘Tis immortality.

 
James Smith