Sixth Sunday after Trinity – Wednesday

The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom. – II Timothy 4:18.

Jesus Christ, the King of the Kingdom of Power and the King of the Kingdom of Grace, also has a heavenly kingdom, a kingdom prepared for us, who here on earth are His own, a kingdom into which all those shall enter, who die as members of the Kingdom of Grace; when they leave the earth, they shall enter this heavenly kingdom. This is called the Kingdom of Glory, for there we shall be glorified and shall enjoy endless glory in the glorious presence of the Lord. There we shall be wholly free of everything that here we call evil. There, our prayer, “deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13), will in fullest measure be granted. There shall forever be fullness of honor and glory, such as we cannot even conceive of now. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

There our souls shall ever be abundantly satisfied, rejoicing over all the gifts of heaven, and we shall never once grow weary of them. And so, it shall be into all eternity. That is our true home, purchased for us by the Savior with His precious blood. There we shall enjoy life in the fullest degree, graciously merited for us by Christ. There, let your heart and mind be directed! We should not bemoan the hardships of the journey, when we know the destination that awaits us. And the Savior has promised, the King has assured us, that He will bring us there. Doubt not! Say with the Apostle Paul: “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom.”

Ah, your Savior is most generous in the gift of salvation prepared for us. Here, He showers upon you the fullness of His grace, and there, He will give you the fullness of His glory. Abide with Him; remain His own!

PRAYER – Ah yes, O great, rich, gracious, lavishly bountiful King, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, continue to give me all, yes, all the grace and glory that Thou hast secured for me. I cannot comprehend it, and I certainly do not deserve any of it. But, Thou hast graciously promised it. Oh, therefore, continue to give it to me, O Lord, my dear Savior! Amen.

Jesus, hail! Thy glory brightens

all above and gives it worth;

Lord of life, Thy smile enlightens,

Cheers, and charms Thy saints on earth.

When we think of love like Thine,

Lord, we own it love divine.

—

King of Glory, reign forever;

Thine an everlasting crown.

Nothing from Thy love shall sever those

whom Thou hast made Thine own,

Happy objects of Thy grace,

destined to behold Thy face.

(Hymn 221 st. 4 and 5; TLH)