A 25-Day Devotional by New Spring Church of Anderson, SC
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[Jesus speaking] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"
John 14:1-2 NIV
We’re all moved to see a soldier come home and scoop up their son or daughter. Witnessing those moments pulls on our heartstrings because engrained deep in all of us is a longing for home. When we gather with friends and family, we get a taste of the homecoming that awaits us in eternity.
The holidays tap into a deep longing to be at home with God. Jesus knows what it means to be homesick. He spent 33 years separated from His Father on a long-term mission to reconcile humanity to God. When Jesus’ work was done, He “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). God the Father and God the Son reunited. Because we are sons and daughters of God, one day we [too] will go home to God’s eternal presence.
The day is coming when we’ll see God face to face. Our longing for home will be complete. Until then, we wait in hope. Galatians 4:4-6 tells us, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, ‘Papa! Father!’” Through God’s Spirit, we can speak to God, hear from God, and feel His presence while we wait for home.
[Jesus speaking] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"
John 14:1-2 NIV
We’re all moved to see a soldier come home and scoop up their son or daughter. Witnessing those moments pulls on our heartstrings because engrained deep in all of us is a longing for home. When we gather with friends and family, we get a taste of the homecoming that awaits us in eternity.
The holidays tap into a deep longing to be at home with God. Jesus knows what it means to be homesick. He spent 33 years separated from His Father on a long-term mission to reconcile humanity to God. When Jesus’ work was done, He “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). God the Father and God the Son reunited. Because we are sons and daughters of God, one day we [too] will go home to God’s eternal presence.
The day is coming when we’ll see God face to face. Our longing for home will be complete. Until then, we wait in hope. Galatians 4:4-6 tells us, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, ‘Papa! Father!’” Through God’s Spirit, we can speak to God, hear from God, and feel His presence while we wait for home.
Reflect: Read Hebrews 1:1-8, Galatians 4:1-7
What does “home” mean for a follower of Jesus?
How does God comfort us when we miss people or places at Christmas?
How does the presence of God fill our deepest desires for home?
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Prayer:
Father,
On Earth, we have all experienced being homesick in one form or another, and, as You know, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Yet Your Word tells us that Jesus has faced and felt every one of our emotions. It is a great comfort to know that You are touched by our feelings, You were tempted just as we are, and yet You overcame without sinning. In You is our Hope. In You is our true Home. In You is the fulfillment for every longing we've ever experienced. Help us to hold onto this Truth, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
