June 9

For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20.

Great honors impose great duties. To whom much is given, from him shall much be required. If Jesus in heaven is our Treasure, our heart, too, must be in heaven. We must seek those things which are above, where Christ lives and reigns. This world is not our home, but our battle-field, through which we must journey to our heavenly home. Our conversation, that is, our citizenship, is in heaven. We are making for heaven. Heaven is our home.

That we are but pilgrims on this earth is apparent from the fact that only for a short while we can sojourn here. We come and go again. One generation is followed by another. Our earthly possessions we must leave to those who come after us, and the places which we have inhabited are occupied by others when we are gone. Yes, we Christians are pilgrims in this world — and strangers. People in a foreign country may attend strictly to their business, but must not meddle with the affairs of that country; so, too, with us, who are strangers in this world. We should not despise God's earth, we should also provide for our mortal bodies, we should enjoy God's creation, we should make life pleasant for ourselves in a lawful, God-pleasing way. Yet a Christian's true home is heaven.

If we only realized at all times what a beautiful place heaven is, what unspeakable joys are awaiting us in heaven, how much more would we long for heaven, and how much more careful would we be to walk as such whose conversation is in heaven! Yea, our life would then be a race to the heavenly goal. Does not the apostle say: "Run that ye may obtain"? We should press on, forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before: unspeakable happiness and bliss. Oh, how every Christian should make for this goal!

Prayer.

O Thou gracious and eternal God, heavenly Father, teach me to meditate often on my death that I may prepare for it in true repentance and at its approach, with confidence and bliss, leave this life of misery to be translated into Thy heavenly paradise together

with all faithful Christians. Give me strength and endurance to reach that goal that I may not run half way and then become weary. Let me endure unto the end to be saved and obtain eternal life, my heavenly home.

O happy day and yet far happier hour, When wilt thou come at last, When fearless to my Father's love and power, Whose promise standeth fast, My soul I gladly render! For surely will His hand Lead her, with guidance tender, To heaven, her fatherland.