Podcast (daily-devotion): Download (7.3MB)

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Revelation 22:1-4

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Over the past years, I have had the opportunity to travel and minister in many places throughout the world. The sights, sounds, and smells are different. I have been schooled on what to eat and what not to eat. I am told by my hosts that there are things to do and not do. When I am in a different country, I stand out as a foreigner in a foreign land. And while I love to travel, the best part of every trip is to be back home!

Christians are citizens of heaven. Our life is simply a journey as foreigners in a foreign land. The sights, sounds, and smells of the world are not the things our hearts beat for. The language around us is strange at times. The customs are often in opposition to God’s Word. Disease strips away strength. Death brings unimaginable pain. Divorce leaves shattered souls with broken hearts. We know that this is not the way it’s supposed to be. We yearn for something different. We yearn for home.

When Christ comes again or when we make that last journey from death to life, we will finally be home. When we arrive, we “will see his face.” We will be with God, and he will wipe every tear from our eyes. Death will be a thing of the past. Mourning will be no more. Crying will not be a part of our resurrected emotions. And pain will never be experienced again. Life in the “old country” will be over. We will be home, at last, in the indescribable place that Jesus has prepared just for us. C. S. Lewis wrote, “There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven, but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else.”

Talking to God

Father, thank you for the certain hope and reality of heaven. We look forward to the day when you welcome us home and wipe every tear from our eyes. Then we will know that in our heart of hearts, we have never desired anything else. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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CHANGED: Resolved to Stand Alone