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I once heard the story of a missionary who, in returning from years overseas, discovered that there was nobody at the dock to meet him.  He complained a little bit to God, saying that others were greeted with great enthusiasm, but he was given no welcome home.  But soon he recognized a still small voice in his heart saying, “But son, you aren’t home yet.” 

 Those words really touched me, my own heart skipped a beat, and I was filled with awe at the thought of God saying that to me.  “But daughter, you’re not home yet.”  Oh how comforting!

So where is your home?  You may have lived in the same city, state, or house for many years, or even all your life.  But do you ever get the feeling that you’re not really at home?  Almost every one of us feels that way at some time.

I wonder why?  Could it be that deep in our souls we know that we’re not created for this world, but for the next?  Could it be that we know there is somewhere that the wonderful welcome home awaits us.

That word “home” says “comfort, safety, belonging, welcome.”

Heaven is my home and home is a shelter, a warm place, a place of comfort in the arms of God.

Psalm 84:3 says, Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

Won’t it be exciting when we have a place near our God, the Lord of Heaven’s armies, the King.

Hebrews 11 tells us about faith, about the confidence that God’s followers had in what was to come. From Able, to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to Rahab, and all those in between. They had faith in a heavenly homeland promised by God. 

. . .  they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.  Hebrews 11:16

 

Jesus told his disciples,

 

 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3 

We will have comfort, safety, and we will be welcomed.  We will be with Jesus.  We will belong!

 “May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart may desire. May joy and peace surround you, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now, and bless you evermore.” – Irish Blessing