Longing For Home

Tuesday, January 5, 2016
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Listen while you read: "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing"1 (Lyrics)

Absence can make the heart grow fonder; it can also cause it to grow callous. Deployed soldiers know this well. Tours of duty seem forever. Years pass without seeing their loved ones. Letters and the occasional phone call are the best that they can hope for. Though technological advances have changed the scenario, they still haven't actually brought the loved one home. Sadly, for some, the longing for home turns sour when they receive a "Dear John" letter or email. Their loved one couldn't stand the loneliness any longer. Or another came along and wooed them away, giving them the immediate attention that they weren't getting from their loved one.

It's similar with the longing for our eternal home.

Ecclesiastes 3:11b – [God] has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. (NLT)

A perusal of world history, past and present, reveals the truth of the writer's conclusion. God has placed a longing for eternity in people's hearts. Rarely, if ever, could we locate a people group that didn't worship something. The recognition of a higher power is prevalent. God has planted this longing in our souls so that we will look beyond ourselves to Him.

While I enjoy this earth, I long for something better: my eternal home … a new heaven and a new earth. A place where I can actually see and fellowship with the Saviour who died for me. A place where I can meet all the saints who've gone before me. A place no longer limited through Bible study, prayer, and listening to the Spirit. A place where all the manifestations of evil will be removed. A place where purity will reign as it did when God first created the earth.

I've lived in places where I simply didn't feel at home. Neither should I presently on earth. I don't feel at home here because I don't belong here — at least not as it is in its current form. If I feel at home here, if I stop longing for what's ahead, I'll fall into the same trap that many spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends did. I'll begin looking for present things to satisfy me, but they can't. Only when I'm home will I be completely content.

Are you longing for home or living as if this is your home?

Prayer: Father, help us not to get too attached to the things of this world, remembering that it's not our final home. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Well said, Martin.


    Amen Martin,
    Another good one.


    Great analogy Martin.
    Happy New Year to you and yours!


    Sometimes I am jealous of those who have gone before — of the peace of Christ and his promises!


    Thanks for your encouraging and positive message to start the New year. I especially liked the thought for the day – Shadows prove the sun is shining! Have a great day!


    Amen, my friend, amen. As the old hymn states, “I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my home. Earth is a desert drear, Heaven is my home . . .” Thanks for sharing this devotional. Blessings.


    Dear Martin,
    What a powerful reading! Thank you so much for this reminder.
    I wish you a healthy happy New Year, and that the dear Lord’s blessings as you continue to share these amazing inspiring devotional emails.


    Dear Martin: I agree but need to add that at 94, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren are far away and I rarely receive a letter, phone call, e-mail or visit from them. I wish they’d ask my advice or use me as a sounding board. I have responsibilities for two disabled siblings. One has no children so longs for her nieces and nephews. The other has children and grandchildren. They keep in touch sometimes.
    I am busy writing histories and I don’t want to go to my heavenly home until they are published for they are unique. No one else will write them. Please pray for us and many like us.


    I like you long for heaven but not for the same reason as you.
    One Sunday morning I told my husband I could not continue at the church we had attended for many years. So together we went looking for another church. We have been attending a new church for one year. This church family embraced us with Christian love.
    The doctrine our previous minister preached was by works not grace — He was not speaking our language. Now we understand why we were repulsed by said minister’s translation of the gospel. I learned I may not know the future but I now know who holds our future and I trust He will walk through what ever comes my way. Thus as much I would like to be in heaven to see my family members who passed, until I am call home I will do how ever led to serve my Lord and Master, Saviour and Friend JESUS CHRIST. Blessings to you and all you hold dear.

    Thank you Martin. You have expressed my thoughts, feelings and experiences so well.
    There are so many that are ignorant of the beautiful biblical promises, they need to hear them. Blessings.

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