I took a vacation last week. A beautiful location, out of the ordinary activities and no household chores. I am so thankful for the time away to behold the beauty of a white beach, aquamarine water and stunning sky. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of those I traveled with and the blessings of God as we opened His Word each day. But this was out of my comfort zone. I missed home. I missed the family members who couldn’t come with me. I missed my kitchen, my couch, my bed and my church. I was not “home.”
While away, I took long walks and reviewed the old and recited the new scriptures I am memorizing and, WOW, God’s timing was perfect! I’ve been working on Hebrews 11 and the coincidence of that portion of scripture with the homesickness I was experiencing, had to be a “God thing.”
Hebrews 11: 9-10: “By faith he (Abraham) dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Similar to what Abraham felt in verse 10, I feel that the city that I am made for and going to is yet to come. That city “whose builder and maker is God,” is the place where there can be no more homesickness, because I’ll truly be home. This is a place where believers will no longer feel like strangers or pilgrims. It will be our real home.
They recognized that this world was not their home and they believed that God could be trusted to honor His promises. They knew that life on this planet was not “as good as it gets.”
The cities we live in now are manmade. Inhabited by whoever can afford to buy the house or pay the rent. In the city that God promises us, we will feel at home. Because the city we long for is prepared for us by God. The creator and satisfier of our souls. And we will be able to afford it because Jesus paid the price for us to live there, His very life.
Hebrews 11 is sometimes called “The Hall of Faith” because it teaches what faith is, along with giving us great examples of faith in the re-telling of the great stories of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and more. It is amazing that as full of faith these patriarchs were, they died before they saw the promises fulfilled.
They did three things, that we can do as well, that kept their faith in God’s promises alive. “They were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ” (verse 13) They recognized that this world was not their home and they believed that God could be trusted to honor His promises. They knew that life on this planet was not “as good as it gets.”
To treat my homesickness, I go to scripture that reminds me of my heavenly hope.
And haven’t you felt a little homesick too? Everything can be going real good. Loved ones are healthy, no one is mad at you, the bills are paid. The sun is shining and kids aren’t whining. It’s good. Yet there is something just not right and you can’t put your finger on it. There’s an emptiness that even the greatest thing in this world won’t satisfy. The good feelings don’t last, something has to go wrong and spoil everything. Why? Because we are not really home yet. That city that God has prepared for us is our real home.
Sometimes we can feel the homesickness more than at others, but it won’t truly disappear until He appears or takes us home to glory, where He dwells.To treat my homesickness, I go to scripture that reminds me of my heavenly hope. I love the USA and am thankful to have been born and raised in a nation that was founded on the principles that have allowed me to exercise my faith; but I am also thankful that this is not my forever home. I am assured that a better country awaits me.
the homesick feeling should remind us of the heavenly home that awaits us
Hebrews 11:14-16: “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.”
Some of you are homesick for loved ones that have gone to their heavenly home. Me too. Live like they’re watching because I believe they are. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Even better, Jesus is watching and cheering us on, verse 2 says, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Day to day life can get to the point that it just has to be endured. Vacations are needed because they can recharge our batteries and can cause us to reflect on the homes we left behind and should love and appreciate every single day. But more than that, the homesick feeling should remind us of the heavenly home that awaits us. This should cause us to live each day in that hope, with joy that is strong enough to endure anything that happens during the journey here.
There’s this song my former pastor’s wife used to sing in church. I love it so much. A song that transports me to the place my soul longs for. Sweet Beulah Land.
Sweet Beulah Land
I’m kind of homesick for a country. To which I’ve never been before. No sad goodbyes will there be spoken. For time won’t matter anymore.
Beulah Land, I’m longing for you. And some day, on thee I’ll stand. There my home, shall be eternal. Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land
I’m looking now, just across the river. To where my faith, shall end in sight. There’s just a few more days to labor. Then I will take my heavenly flight.
Beulah Land, I’m longing for you. And someday, on thee I’ll stand. There my home, shall be eternal. Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land.
The land of “Beulah” is mentioned in Isaiah 62:4 where God is speaking about the deliverance of Zion and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom. My Study Bible says of this scripture, “Righteousness and salvation will burst forth as a light upon the Gentiles. Moreover, the Gentiles will not merely observe this light, but will receive it.”
On our last day at the beach, the bright light of the sun shone full force and its presence had a profound impact on everyone out there. My homesickness eased because I knew I would be back on familiar ground soon. On my last day, or on that great day when Christ returns, the Son’s light will burst forth full force and my homesickness for heaven will disappear as I take my heavenly flight.
Glory Renewed 