The ordinances themselves are means in Christ’s hand, and do not hide Him from the believer, but rather give a representation of Him. Yet it is only a small and dark glance that they give of Him (1 Cor. 13:12). In the ordinances we do see Him, but only as in a glass darkly, or behind the wall, or through the lattice unclearly. But, O believers! at that day, that cloud of ordinances shall be removed away, and you shall enjoy the immediate presence of Christ — even lovely Christ, without this shadow!

Note: James Renwick (1662 – 1688) was the last of the Covenanter field preachers to be put to death. He was just twenty six when he was executed in the Grassmarket.

So many things take the colour out of life and leave things grey and despondent. Under these clouds and shadows, the wrong response is to distract ourselves with shiny toys and the glittering baubles which the world dangles in front of us. The Christian response is to recognise the clouds for what they are, whether earthly limitations or sinful interruptions, and find hope in how Jesus is going to scatter them eventually. The young field preacher James Renwick, who laboured intensely and suffered greatly for his work for the Lord, and was eventually executed in the Grassmarket, preached a sermon on the church’s longing for Jesus to come, expressed in the Song of Solomon, “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away …” (Song 2:17). In the following updated extract, Renwick lists eight things that depress believers and obscure their view of the Lord Jesus, and explains for each how He will chase them away while for the time being we persevere in faith and obedience.

Though there are many shadows now between Christ and believers, yet there is a day coming when these shadows will flee away. We are still “in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19).

To open this a little to you, I shall show you some shadows that are now betwixt Christ and believers, which at that day shall be taken away.

Infirmities

The first shadow is the shadow of the believer’s infirmities. O friends! This is a dark cloud betwixt Christ and believers, which hides His countenance, and makes many a sad day and night to poor believers while here.

But at that day, there shall be a pleasant change, for then believers shall be freed from all their manifold infirmities, and be perfected for ever. Then there shall be no sinning any more. Then shall this mortal put on immortality, and corruption shall put on incorruption — then shall all be changed!

Suspicious Thoughts About Jesus

The second shadow that overshadows the believer while here, and which will be taken away at that day, is the shadow of jealousy. Here we are often very jealous of Christ, for oft-times we cannot see Him acting, or perceive things as they are. We become so suspicious of the love of Christ, even though it is unspotted and unchangeable, that we often think He doesn’t love us, and therefore we will not bestow our love on Him.

But don’t be like this! For that day that is coming, even the day of accounts, which will take away all your suspicious thoughts about Christ’s love, and you shall then see that he has had love, and heart-love too! In that day there shall be no place left for doubting.

Little Sense of God’s Presence

The third shadow that over-clouds the believer is the dark shadow of deadness and desertion which sin has drawn down on believers. How many a sad complaint the poor believer is forced to make by this dark cloud, when the Lord withdraws His countenance, and lets the poor thing sink beneath the stream!

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