We Christians often forget the fact that we are pilgrims and strangers in this world; that we have here no continuing city but have our true home in heaven. Our blessed Savior has given us the unfailing promise: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." [John 14:2-3]

Yet we forget this sweet truth so often and then are in great danger of becoming "naturalized" in this wicked world and of no longer pressing "...toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). But if we forget, there is One who does not forget us nor leave us to perish in our danger.

Our faithful God and Savior comes to our rescue with many and tearful afflictions that teach us to see and realize the vanity of all earthly things. But while thus correcting and chastising us, He also comforts us. In His precious Word He comes to us in our suffering and quickens our drooping faith and hope, enlivens and kindles anew our love for Him and our better and abiding home above. God's blessed Word is no empty sound and no dead letter, but divine truth and power and spirit and life. Aye, He Himself becomes our "Comforter," our One and All, for whom our heart longs and yearns with passionate love, declaring with Asaph: "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Psalm 73:25-26)

Let us, therefore, daily read and hear His quickening Word with a heart hungering for His loving, comforting presence, and we shall gratefully declare with David: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalm 42:11)

[devotion text by Rev. F. W. Herzberger (1920) -
from the Family Altar - CPH (1957 edition)]
read preface from book (opens in a new window)