25 Sep October 26th Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

STRONGLY DESIRING OUR HEAVENLY HOME

2 Corinthians 5:2-4 “Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”

You work 40 hours a week hoping to earn enough money to take care of yourself and your family.  You realize that your 40 hours of work must be supplemented with additional hours devoted to maintaining your home, family, and personal self.  As you have probably said occasionally, there aren’t enough hours in a day.

Today’s devotional verses speak of “longing.”  Longing is a strong desire for something.  In these verses Paul wrote about “longing for your heavenly dwelling.”  He is continuing the thought of previous verses that your life here on earth is like a tent that is a temporary residence.  As the hymn writer wrote, “I’m but a stranger here heaven is my home.”  (LSB 748)

Your Lord, Paul says, will one day remove from you your temporary earthly garments and replace them with your permanent, glorious heavenly ones.  Those you wear here will rot and decay.  The one you will receive in heaven, “neither moth or rust can destroy nor thieves break in and steal.”  (Matthew 6:19-21)  Your heavenly garments are eternal and imperishable.

As a Christian you long for THE LIFE.  This is the life promised to you by Jesus that is heavenly, eternal.  This is the life that Jesus promises you as recorded in John 14:6, “ I am the . . . life.”  Those who believe in Jesus will “have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

The longing described in today’s verses is not over the burdens of this life but for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to you that “where He is you will be also.” (John 14:3) It is not a longing to escape your struggles, pain, and suffering on this earth but you long to attain your heavenly home. You desire to be with the Lord.   You long for that time when your death will be swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:53-54)

Prayer:  O Lord, I long to be with you.  Keep me in the true faith until that day when you call me to be with You for all eternity.  Amen.

In God, my faithful God, I trust when dark my road;

Great woes may overtake me, Yet He will not forsake me.

My troubles He can alter; His hand lets nothing falter.

My sins fill me with care, Yet I will not despair.

I build on Christ, who loves me; From this rock nothing moves me.

To Him I will surrender, To Him, my soul’s defender.

If death my portion be, It brings great gain to me;

It speeds my life’s endeavor To live with Christ forever.

He gives me joy in sorrow, Come death now or tomorrow.

O Jesus Christ, my Lord, So meek in deed and word,

You suffered death to save us Because Your love would have us

Be heirs of heav’nly gladness When ends this life of sadness.

“So be it,” then, I say With all my heart each day.

Dear Lord, we all adore You, We sing for joy before You.

Guide us while here we wander Until we praise You yonder.

(LSB 745)