ROMANS 8:18-25 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
THEME OF THE DAY: YEARNING FOR HOME. After reading today’s scripture, do we feel it? Or better yet, does it describe us? Do we have an intense inward groaning for heaven, to be with Jesus, and be rid of all that sin has done to us and in us? I am not referring to some vague, “Sure, I want to go to heaven” and then we just drift back into our comfortable lives in this miserable, sin-cursed world. No, this grips the heart, fills the mind, and shapes our attitudes toward everything in this world. It is to have the heartbeat of the Apostle Paul – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better (Philippians 1:21-23). Actually, what is being described by the Apostle Paul and in today’s scripture is Biblical Christianity.
In the letter to the Hebrew Christians, we read of this “yearning for home” mindset in chapter eleven; the hall of fame of faith chapter – These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:13-16). These warriors and witnesses of the faith model for us what we are to be – strangers, exiles, even pilgrims on the earth only passing through.
Take a moment to ponder our hearts. Are we living as strangers far from home? Pilgrims on a fast journey to our eternal dwelling with Jesus? Friends, don’t get comfortable in this world. It isn’t our home. And nothing will cool our affections for Jesus faster, leading us to a spiritually backslidden condition, than to be comfortable in this world and not focus on the next. So, if we are not yearning for home, let’s pray and ask the Lord to make it so. After all, he is there preparing the place for us!
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for calling me out of darkness and bringing me into the light of Your Son, now and forever.”
QUOTE: “Don’t get comfortable in this world. It is not our home. We are passing through and travelers don’t settle down.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim