Faith and hope - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Acts 1:9

Faith and hope
Jesus Christ ascended into heaven as a man 40 days after His resurrection. The disciples who had followed Him on earth watched as He was lifted up and disappeared from their sight. For them, a new time in their life of faith now began, as the Lord had previously told them: “You believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). Until now they had believed in the living God, whom they had never seen. Now they were also to live their relationship with the Lord Jesus by faith. Although they no longer saw Him, He was to remain a living reality to them every day.

His ascension brought another change. The disciples’ expectation was now focused on heaven, where Christ was. They were not to wish for the kingdom of peace on earth but to await the Lord Jesus at the rapture. In this they could rely on His promise: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).

What was true of the disciples at that time is also true of us who believe in the Lord Jesus. We maintain a relationship with Him and rejoice in Him even though we do not see Him. At the same time, we know that heaven is our eternal home. From there we await our Lord and Saviour, who will soon take us home to Himself.

Today’s reading: Genesis 34:1-31 · Psalms 20:1-9