There’s a song that seems to pierce my heart every time I hear it. It’s called Homesick for Heaven, sung by Phil Wickham:
My heart belongs to a country and a King
Of a land I’ve always known but I’ve never seen
Some call it paradise or the land of the living
Well, I call it home and I’m homesick for Heaven.
I wanna walk with Moses on streets of gold
And dance with David before Your throne
To thank you face to face for the grace You’ve given
I wanna see my children run into Your arms
And worship the Savior who wears my scars
There’s an ache in my heart
I’m homesick for heaven.
Let me ask… Are you homesick for heaven? Is there an ache in your heart? For me, the answer is a big YES. God has given us a peak into heaven through Scripture, especially Revelation 21 and 22. I believe most of us live with dark thoughts a lot of the time. What if…. My car needs repairs I can’t afford, I’m slapped with a huge medical bill, I get some disease, my grandkids fall into deception? Perhaps God gave us a peak into heaven to conquer those dark thoughts.
If there was anyone who had it rough, it was the Apostle Paul. In addition to the daily physical pain, the lack of food and water at times, and the enemies who were always on his tail, he had the concern for the church. But I’m certain that he conquered these horrible thoughts by thinking about heaven. He said to the Philippian church, “I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live” (Philippians 1:23-24).
I would say Paul was homesick for heaven. Our verses today speak of heaven. I love to think about what it will be like when I get to heaven. Falling into the arms of Jesus, hearing Him say my name, reuniting with my loved ones, no more pain or suffering, putting my eyes on beauty I have never known. But one of the best things about heaven is that there are no more good-byes. This warms my heart. Let me encourage you today to conquer those dark thoughts by thinking about heaven. Read Revelation 21 and 22 again. By doing this, that ache for heaven will get stronger and our discouragement, frustration, and worry will get less.