| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 23 |
Page 4 |
This is a glimpse of what a true home is. The picture is sometimes realized on the earth. There are homes which are well-nigh perfect. But the home sought will be realized full in heaven. The Bible paints heaven in colors of dazzling splendor, its gates and streets and gardens and streams and fruits, all of the utmost brilliance; but no other description means so much to our hearts as that which the Master gives in these three words, “My Father’s house” — home. One writes:
Life changes all our thoughts of heaven;
At first, we think of streets of gold,
Of gates of pearl and dazzling light,
Of shining wings and robes of white,
All things all strange to mortal sight.
But in the afterward of years
It is a more familiar place;
A home unhurt by sighs and tears,
Where waiteth many a well-known face.
With passing months it comes more near;
It grows more real day by day—
Not strange or cold, but very dear—
The glad homeland, not far away,
Where none are sick, or poor, or lone,
The place where we shall find our own.
And we think of all we knew
Who there have met to part no more,
Our longing hearts desire home, too,
With all the strife and trouble o’er.
“My Father’s house.” That is the place to which we are going. That is the place where those we have lost awhile from our earthly homes, falling asleep in Jesus, are gathering. That is the place to which the angels have carried the babies and the old people, our mother, our fathers, our friends who have passed out of our sight. What a vision will burst upon our eyes when, some quiet day or night, we shall fall asleep to awake no more on earth, but to awake in heaven, in our Father’s house! You have read of men coming over the sea as immigrants, and landing in a strange city as utter strangers — throngs all about the, but not one familiar face, no welcome in any eye, nor greeting. But it will not be this way with you when you leave this world and enter heaven. Loved ones will meet you and receive you with joy.
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