January 25

We which have believed do enter into rest. - Hebrews 4:3.

HEAVEN is a state of blessedness. All are capacitated for enjoying happiness, but there are some who have found it. These are they to whom the ever blessed God has assigned “the path of life,” and who are now in “his presence,” where “there is fulness of joy,” and at his right hand, where “there are pleasures for evermore.” We do not question their happiness, nor are Christians here strangers to all that blessedness which they above are now enjoying.

They also have attained to the glorious liberty of the sons of God, the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus having already made them free from the law of sin and death; they are upheld by God’s free Spirit; they run in the way of his commandments with enlarged hearts. Is there a rest that remaineth for the people of God? We, says the Apostle, which believe, do even here “enter into rest.” Have the blessed multitude in heaven entered into pure, complete, and eternal peace? Why even here, the Apostle tells us, Christians are possessed of the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keeping their hearts and minds through Jesus Christ; even now their minds are kept in perfect peace, being stayed upon God. Are they not blessed because they are still with the Saviour, dwelling where he is, and beholding his glory? And do not Christians now enter into glory by the eye of faith?

Do not they hold sweet communion with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ, even now? Yes, blessed be God, these are the earnests and foretastes of that blessedness which is begun on earth and perfected in heaven.

“Blessed are the sons of God,

They are wash’d in Jesus’ blood;

They are happy now, and we

Soon their happiness shall see.”