Home

Everyone has heard these sayings, “home sweet home”, “there’s no place like home” or “home is where the heart is.” Home. What comes to your mind when you hear this word? Many envision home as their personal or private place for rest, comfort, peace and joy. Webster defines home as one’s abode (residence/habitation) or one’s own country. Regardless of the definition, having a home is a basic necessity of life. A home provides protection from the elements. It provides security, a sense of community/belonging, self-worth and peace.

Sadly, there are some people who are without a home. We’ve all seen them standing on the street corners begging for handouts, those living under the bridges, in cars or in homeless shelters. We’ve also seen the heartbreaking stories of those who have lost their homes due to fires, floods, storms, poverty or affordability issues due to the rising housing cost. These individuals suddenly find themselves without a home. Homelessness is a devastating situation.

Scripture tells us that there have always been those who are homeless. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was homeless. Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head,” Matthew 8:20, Luke 9:58. Jesus reminds us that we are to have compassion for those in need and help them in any way that we can. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” Matthew 25:40. We can help by giving monetarily, volunteering, feeding, sheltering, providing a job or however the Holy Spirit leads you to help. Jesus blesses those who are a blessing to others. Scripture says, “For those who give without a grudging heart, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and everything you put your hand to,” Deuteronomy 15:10.

While our focus has been on our earthly home, Jesus reminds Believers that this world is not our home. Believers are looking forward to a home yet to come, where there will be no homelessness. But, rather eternal security, comfort, peace, joy and love. This home is heaven, which is our true citizenship, Philippians 3:20. This home is a place of inconceivable beauty, with streets of pure gold! This home has beautiful gates made of pearl with walls made of precious stones! There is a crystal clear river flowing down the middle of the city! This home is where the tree of life bears beautiful crops of fruit. This home is where God’s throne and the Lamb resides. In this home the Lord will dwell with His people and wipe away their every tear, Revelation 21.

Food for Today

1 Corinthians 4:11

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

Picture Courtesy of:

North Cardinal Female on Nest Lakeside 72016 - Courtesy of Natural Crooks Rambling

Birdhouse (in Shoutout Email) - Courtesy of Unsplash