Maranatha – it’s kind of a weird word, but so deep in the emotion and yearning that it evokes.  It’s an Aramaic expression (transliterated into Greek in 1 Corinthians) for what is mostly translated as “Our LORD, Come!” – (or “Come, Lord Jesus” in Revelation 22:20).  It’s an earnest cry for Christ to come and reveal Himself, to liberate, to enact justice, to set everything right.  It’s the great hope of every follower of Christ – the assurance of His return.  Despite whatever cloudy circumstances frustrate our present journey, we know His light will break forth into full, glorious dawn at His return.

Today’s promise actually comes from a meditation by Charles Spurgeon:

“But watchman, when comes the morning? The Bridegroom tarries. Are there no signs of his coming forth as the Sun of Righteousness? Has not the morning star arisen as the pledge of day? When will the day dawn, and the shadows flee away? O Jesus, if thou come not in person to thy waiting Church this day, yet come in Spirit to my sighing heart, and make it sing for joy.

“Now all the earth is bright and glad
With the fresh morn;
But all my heart is cold, and dark and sad:
Sun of the soul, let me behold thy dawn!
Come, Jesus, Lord,
O quickly come, according to thy word.”

(From “Morning and Evening”, August 6th Morning)