EXILED!
Banished from his native country, the longing of an exile is to go home. The certainty that he will never again live in his country is perpetual, inexpressible sadness within his heart. News from home of marriages and births depress him because he cannot participate in the celebration. When news of death arrives, his sorrow is magnified as he grieves alone.
We have been exiled…
The sin of our father, Adam, caused us to be exiled from Eden, the beautiful land of our nativity. God set guards to ensure that we could not re-enter…
“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Genesis 3:24 52
Battling sin daily and becoming more painfully aware of the magnitude of our depravity, we cannot help but to think of Eden. It was not merely a place of physical beauty, but a place of spiritual wholeness. God was there with man in a peaceful intimate relationship. This was the ultimate beauty.
but not permanently!
Blessed be our God for His great mercy and grace – Who in His sovereignty chose to redeem us through the blood of Jesus Christ…
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace“ Ephesians 1:7
The day is coming when God will bring His redeemed into Christ’s residence – from which we will never be cast out…
“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal” Revelation 21:10-11
Knowing this sin ravished earth is not our permanent home, let us not be forlorn like the earthly exile nor weary of the battle. Christ’s residence is far more beautiful and glorious than Eden. It is our everlasting dwelling place, with God, all in all.