Our hearts are restless again and again. It is not satisfied with what it has. Our heart longs for something more, but it cannot name it. But on reflection, the answer is obvious: we long for God because our homeland is in Heaven.
Daily Devotional for October 27
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)
Our Citizenship is in Heaven
The Philippian church to which this letter was sent had no difficulty understanding the apostle’s words about “belonging.” The city of Philippi was a Roman colony where many soldiers had settled after their service. Their citizenship was in Rome, but they lived in the distant city of Philippi.
Paul writes that the same is true for us Christians. We live on Earth, but our true home and homeland is in Heaven. So there is our true citizenship, even if we have not arrived there.
Our Lord Jesus Christ lives in His kingdom, to which we look and await His coming.
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
Faith and baptism make us children of God. “Our salvation is a gift from God” (Eph 2:8). Our faith and virtuous Christian living make the theoretical things of faith real. We are not only called children of God, but we are indeed children of God and live a lifestyle that is appropriate to that. From here, our salvation becomes real while we are still on earth.
But other parts of the Bible speak of our salvation in the future (1 Thess 1:10; Titus 2:13) when Jesus comes as Saviour and accomplishes our salvation in our heavenly home.
Our Homeland is in Heaven
This thought should illuminate our daily lives – our homes, work, friends, Christian duties, and our dear homeland. Yet, despite our earthly jobs and obligations, we are convinced that the world is not our true home. Our homeland is in Heaven, at the right hand of God, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who will one day come to take us to Himself.
If we genuinely believe this biblical truth, we will be able to accept this world’s many terrible and disturbing disasters as small and insignificant.
It is blessed and wonderful when our thoughts are set on our heavenly home.
Prayer for Today
Almighty Father, in our short journey on earth, we cherish the divine promise that our true citizenship belongs to You in heaven. In the noise of life, please help us to calm our anxieties and cling to the profound truth that we are only pilgrims with our eyes fixed on the eternal horizon.
Please strengthen our hope, especially when the shadows are looming, and the path seems unclear. May our earthly steps resonate with courage and purpose, fueled by our heavenly promise.
Give us the strength to walk the path of life with grace and firm faith as we eagerly await our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will transform our humble state into the splendor of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
