(All scripture references in this
article are from the JND translation.)
’Tis the treasure we’ve found in His love
That has made us now pilgrims below.
Hymns for the Little
Flock, #139
Where are our hearts, beloved? As
we travel homeward, our feet treading the wilderness, with whom and with what
are our hearts engaged?
The path of our blessed Lord
Jesus, when in this scene, led Him to the cross. "Having made [by Himself]
the purification of sins" (Heb. 1:3), He "has passed through the
heavens" (Heb. 4:14) where He has ascended to His Father and His God (John
20:17). Have our hearts followed Him there?
Again the question, beloved:where
are our hearts? Are they so saturated with things of this world that,
practically, we have forgotten we possess a Treasure in the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, Heaven’s beloved One (Eph. 1:6,11)? Are our hearts and
minds on the things that are above (Col. 3:2)? "For where your treasure
is, there also will your heart be" (Luke 12:34).
The apostle John was found leaning
on the breast of Jesus (John 13:25). This is the normal dwelling place for the
heart of every believer while passing through this scene. Am I occupying this
place of nearness to the Lord Jesus? Leaning! How it betokens no confidence in
self. It is in this place, leaning on the bosom of Jesus, that secrets are
unfolded (John 13:23-26). Would you know more of His great love? Would you lay
claim to the fulfillment of God’s many precious promises, thereby enlarging
your border (Deut. 12:20)? Oh, take yourself and hide there on His breast.
Two things that rob the heart of
occupation with its rightful Treasure, even Christ, are fear and care.
Several times in that chapter that tells us, "Where your treasure is,
there also will your heart be" (Luke 12:34), we hear the Lord Jesus
saying, "Fear not," and "Be not careful" (verses 4,7,11,22,32).
These are words of balm to a troubled and careful heart. Do we hear the words
with sufficient intimacy of heart so that their power is felt? Once freed from
fear and care, the heart is at liberty to be engaged with its Treasure.
Deliverance from our fears is
brought about by the fear of God, or the fear of the Lord. To a child of God,
the fear of the Lord is a sweet expression of reverential trust. He is not One
of whom to be afraid. How simply we should trust Him and rest in Him!
As to the believer’s anxious care,
there is only one place for this:"Having cast all your care upon Him, for
He cares about you" (1 Pet. 5:7). Does this not call for the exercise of
prayer? We are told, "Be vigilant, watch" (1 Pet. 5:8). "Be
sober therefore, and be watchful unto prayers" (1 Pet. 4:7). This is the
way to have the heart kept. Our adversary, the devil, is ever seeking to
interpose some object between ourselves and Christ. If he succeeds, we are not
truly leaning on our Beloved.
He taught me how to watch and pray,
And live rejoicing every day.
Hymns of Grace and
Truth #260
It is heaven begun to enjoy the
presence of the Beloved. Our blessed Lord Jesus would here and now have us
enter into the enjoyment of Himself. Does He not fill all heaven? He wants to
fill the hearts of His beloved people now.
From this place of leaning on the
breast of Jesus we enjoy life eternal, knowing the true God, our Father, and
Jesus Christ whom He has sent (John 17:3). Here, too, we receive that grace and
peace so freely bestowed upon us in fellowship with God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ, yes, even multiplied to us (1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:2).
We have often sung in blest
anticipation of eternity, when we will have entered our heavenly home:
And with Him shall our rest be on high,
When in holiness bright we sit down,
In the joy of His love ever nigh,
In the peace that His presence shall crown.
Hymns for the Little
Flock #139
Beloved, His presence now
crowns our life with love, joy, and peace. It is entered into by faith. How
much are our souls letting in heaven’s rays?
The Lord Jesus, before departing
to be with His Father, told His own, "I leave peace with you; I give My
peace to you:not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart
be troubled, neither let it fear" (John 14:27). "Abide in my love"
(John 15:9). "I have spoken these things to you that my joy may be
in you, and your joy be full" (John 15:11).
Heaven is the presence of the
beloved One. It is enjoyed by faith even now, as we look forward to the day
when these bodies of ours shall be glorified.
Beloved, are we so yielding
ourselves to Him that our souls may expand in love, joy, and peace—the fruit of
the Holy Spirit? Where are our hearts, beloved? Are they resting in His
presence? If so, we can say with the poet:
Jesus so fills my glad heart
with his love
That I’m living in heaven
today.