Earthly Tent or Eternal House

August 15

Job 8-10

Psalm 91:9-16

Proverbs 20:16-18

2 Corinthians 5:1-15

Earthly Tent or Eternal House

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in Heaven, not built by human hands. 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. Now the One who has fashioned us for this purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NIV

This is a great follow-up to the reading yesterday in Psalm 91. When I was younger, I don’t think I really understood this passage. I did not long for my heavenly dwelling. I remember very vividly a time right after Brian and I got married when we were living in Louisville. The Gulf War broke out and I watched as fighting took place in the Middle East. At the time, I was afraid that it was the end. The news reports looked very apocalyptic. I remember crying and telling Brian that I wasn’t ready for it to all be over because I wanted to have kids and live longer. I don’t feel that way anymore. There have been numerous times over the last few years when it has felt like we are living in the end times. I don’t know when Jesus will come back, but it certainly feels like it will be soon. I’m not scared of that now. I am ready. I can honestly say I long for my heavenly dwelling. Maybe that comes with age. As our earthly bodies begin to wear out, we long for our eternal bodies that are perfect and never age. The longer we live on this Earth, we realize that it isn’t that great. It is filled with heartache, pain, sorrow, and difficulty. Our earthly tents groan and we are burdened down with the cares of this fallen world. There are good times and joyful seasons as well, but this life is far from perfect. The prospect of going to a place where there are no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain, and no more difficulty is appealing.

But there is more to it than that. It isn’t just about leaving the pain and sorrow of this life. It is also the anticipation of getting to Heaven. It is the excitement of finally getting to see our Savior face to face. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” I Corinthians 13:12 (ESV) We will not have to deal with our fallen nature. The struggle of the temptation of sin will be gone. We will be in the presence of Jesus. The Holy Spirit living in us places a longing in us for a place that we have never seen. There are numerous old hymns about this longing: “When We All Get to Heaven,” “When the Role is Called Up Yonder,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Oh Happy Day,” and “Beulah Land” are just a few. There are also many contemporary songs with this theme: “I Can Only Imagine,” “There Will Be a Day,” “You Hold Me Now,” “Soon and Very Soon,” “Peace in the Valley.” I would encourage you today to pull up some of those songs and spend some time worshipping your Savior and longing to see Him face to face.