The City of God

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11: 13-16.

As one listens to the news and looks about this world, we are reminded daily that we live in a fallen world where the systems of law and order are broken down by sin and evil. We live each day in the midst of a cosmic battle that rages unseen between the forces of good and evil. Every human being gets to decide on a daily basis whether he or she will choose between the ways of the Lord or the pursuit of one's own selfish desires to fulfill one's lust of self. For those who choose the path of the narrow way, we are often left to feel like strangers and exiles on this planet. What each of us wants more than anything else is to find a homeland. A place of peace and sanctuary from the assaults upon one's life and security. A refuge from death and a purpose for living.

There is Good News! The place for which we long and for which we were made actually exists! But, it is not of this earth. Only by faith in the one who made us and created us may we come to understand that there exists a City which is the fulfillment of every desire of one's heart. When we are beaten up, knocked down and standing in the shadow of the valley of death, there is still this hope that transcends human understanding. It is a hope that there is a place that we can call home for all eternity. It is the City of God.