DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A BETTER COUNTRY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A BETTER COUNTRY

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:13-16)

I am a stranger and pilgrim, an alien traveling through this foreign country. Like Pilgrim in Pilgrim's progress, I am on a journey to that place. I am assured of the heavenly country and I embrace it. Our focus verse says that God has prepared a city for us. I have the promise of the Lord Jesus. He said, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3). And I know that God will welcome me there because He is not ashamed to be called my God.

The Old Testament heroes of faith listed here in the Hall of Faith had received the promises, but only saw them afar off. On the New Testament side of history, we have a clearer view of the heavenly country. Truly, heaven is still some distance away, but we can see the lights of that glorious place where we will be in God's presence in reality, where there will be no sin, no suffering, no tears, no arthritis, no blindness, no pain of broken relationships, no dementia, no need for doctors, nothing that will cause us distress.

I don't know about you, but I am longing for heaven. The closer I get, the more attractive and beautiful it is. If I had the opportunity to choose between Heaven and this world, I would want to choose heaven. As the Apostle Paul confessed, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:8).

The song says, "How beautiful heaven must be. Sweet home of the happy and free. Fair haven of rest for the weary, How beautiful Heaven must be." I'm ready to go. I've passed the point of no return. There is no turning back.

Love, Dad