July 2

Tuesday after Ascension Day

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with My Father in His throne. Revelation 3:21.

It will be well for us to take this lesson to ourselves, and learn that great truth which the Apostles shrank from at first but at length rejoiced in, Christ suffered and entered into joy; so did they in their measure after Him, and in our measure so do we. It is written that "through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God." God has all things in His own hands. He can spare, He can inflict. He often spares; (may He spare us still!) but He often tries us, in one way or another He tries every one. At some time or other of the life of every one there is pain and sorrow and trouble. So it is; and the sooner perhaps we can look upon it as a law of our Christian condition the better. One generation comes and then another. They issue forth and succeed like leaves in spring, and in all this law is observable. They are tried, and then they triumph; they are humbled, and then they sit down on Christ's throne.

O Jesus, Lord—the Way, the Truth, The Life, the Crown of all Who here on earth confess Thy Name— O hear us when we call!

We bring to mind with grateful joy Thy servants who of old Withstood the snares of earth and hell, And now Thy Face behold.

Who sought on earth the joys of prayer, And that communion knew Which Saints and Angels share above With those who seek it too.

Vouchsafe us, Lord, we pray Thee now, To us it may be given, Like them to live and die in Thee, And with them rise to heaven.