What Of It?

Following are a Scripture reading, a hymn and a quote from Ascension Sunday's Covenant Renewal Service at PRPC, which was especially uplifting. Thanks, Pastor Smith.

"I kept looking in the night visions

And behold, with the clouds of heaven

One like a Son of Adam was coming,

And He came up to the Ancient of Days

And was presented before Him

And to Him was given dominion,

Glory and a kingdom,

That all the peoples, nations, and tongues

Might serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

Which will not pass away;

And His kingdom is one

Which will not be destroyed."

Daniel 7:13-14

Blue Trinity Hymnal # 211

See, the Conquerer mounts in triumph;

See the King in royal state,

Riding on the clouds, his chariot,

To his heavenly palace gate:

Hark! the choirs of angel voices

Joyful Alleluias sing

And the portals high are lifted

To receive their heavenly King.

Who is this that comes in glory,

With the trump of jubilee?

Lord of battles, God of armies,

He has gained the victory;

He who on the cross did suffer,

He who from the grave arose,

He has vanquished sin and Satan,

He by death has spoiled his foes.

Thou hast raised our human nature

In the clouds to God's right hand;

There we sit in heav'nly places,

There with thee in glory stand:

Jesus reigns, adored by angels,

Man with God is on the throne;

Mighty Lord, in thine ascension

We by faith behold our own!

From a sermon by Calvin:

Jesus is at the right hand of God in this nature which He assumed with us...He is always ready to stretch out to us His hand, and we must be certain that, although we suffer for a time, the end of it will be for our salvation. That is what must be understood when His Ascension is spoken of. Thus, since He has gone up there, and is in heaven for us, let us note that we need not fear to be in this world.

It is true that we are subject to so much misery that our condition is pitiable, [but] we look to our Head Who is already in heaven, and say, “Although I am weak, there is Jesus Christ Who is powerful enough to make me stand upright. Although I am feeble, there is Jesus Christ who is my strength. Although I am full of miseries, Jesus Christ is in immortal glory and what He has will some time be given to me and I shall partake of all His benefits.

“Yes, the devil is called the prince of this world. But what of it? Jesus Christ holds him in check; for He is King of heaven and earth. There are devils above us in the air who make war against us. But what of it? Jesus Christ rules above, having entire control of the battle. Thus, we need not doubt that He gives us the victory. I am here subject to many changes, which may cause me to lose courage. But what of it? The Son of God is my Head, Who is exempt from all change. I must, then, take confidence in Him.”