VACATION FROM VACATION? This summer, even if you got to travel to your dream vacation spot, at some point it becomes clear that living out of a suitcase gets tiresome. Soon after, that feeling of “I need a vacation from vacation” starts to creep in. Next thing is you’re back to yearning for the comforts of home sweet home, your own bed, and your favorite coffee cup.
The Bible records the children of Israel experiencing some serious homesickness, themselves, after their historic exodus from Egypt. They began to complain to Moses about their arduous journey to the Promised Land, reminiscing about the abundance of everything they left behind in Egypt. Joshua and Caleb were the faithful exceptions whose unwavering commitment endured throughout the entire 40-year trek to the land of Canaan.
As long as it was, their journey was still shorter than the subsequent Babylonian Captivity of Judah, which lasted 70 years! The post-exilic Jews were eager to finally return home from Babylon and repopulate Jerusalem. But returning home wasn't what they remembered. It’s like the saying goes, "You can never go home again.” Everything changes.
Does it? The Scripture says, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). With His death and resurrection in view, our triumphant Lord Jesus promised that He was going to prepare a place for His own in His eternal kingdom. Through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our gracious Lord is also preparing us for that eternal place. This "better country," described in Hebrews 11:16, is our forever home, the "City of God" founded on Christ Jesus, the chief cornerstone.!