I’ve been thinking a lot lately about home. There are those times when you’re just tired, worn out and weary so you long for the peace and security of home. Home is that place where you shut out the cares and worries of life and rest secure in the warm embrace of those who love you. Of course, for us as the people of God, our home is in heaven. It is there, and only there, we will be able to shut out the cares and worries of this life. It is there, and only there, we will know genuine peace and security. And why is that? It is because there we will be in the continual presence of God without hindrance or limitation. You see the thing that makes heaven, heaven, is not streets of gold, gates of pearl or the presence of friends and loved ones, but the presence of God.
Pastor and author John Piper asks a penetrating question in his book God is the Gospel: “If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?” Hum? If we can answer, “Yes” to that question have we really understood the Gospel and have we exhibited saving faith? Heaven is heaven because our blessed Lord is present. Some days I’m really homesick. Even so come Lord Jesus.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod