DAILY READING
REFLECTION
This is Not My Home
by Mary Alice McGinnis

When the fear of COVID was still at its peak, one of my daughter’s friends created a very special space for her to celebrate her birthday. In this lovely space, she, along with her husband and son, were able to share some special moments with a few friends. She loved this intimate setting so much, she decided to repeat it for her birthday this past year.
Can you believe how beautifully decorated this setting is? It looks like a real home, doesn’t it?
They enjoyed hours of fun together. They ate snacks and sweets, played games, watched some movies, and filled that space with fun and laughter.
I am sure that they wished this joyous time together would not come to an end.

Yet, it is obvious that this beautiful space – inside a tent - was only meant to be temporary.
As the rains came and the cool night air gave them a chill, they knew at the end of this day together, they had the warmth and safety of their REAL home to go back to.
Today’s verses say: “By faith he (Abraham) made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”
God had called Abraham out of a comfortable space, to follow Him to the land that He had promised to give him. Why then, when they arrived in the promised land, did they stay in tents?
Then, it continues: "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Do find yourself looking for security and contentment in your life? What type of foundation are you securing your hope to? Does it seem that the promises of God are “far off"?
When this life does not seem to make sense, when the rains fall, and the chill of injustice, sin and evil make us uncomfortable, sad and filled with grief, how does this scripture bring you peace?
“Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Have you read some of the stories of Abraham’s failures of faith in the Old Testament? Oh yes, sometime he got ahead of God and took things into his own hands. Yet even though God’s command to sacrifice Isaac seemed to contradict God’s promise, God was still faithful and Abraham chose to hold tightly to God’s promise.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you . . .and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
We too can hold tight to God’s promises.
"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? " (Romans 8:32)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:1-3)
PRAYER PRACTICE
Cup Prayer – Open your hands to God today. Turn them upside down. Pour out your heart to God, telling Him where your heart is fixated on the temporary things of this world. Turn your hands right side up. Let Him fill you with His presence, comfort and peace. Let your heart be filled to the brim with great anticipation of the ALL the wonders He has yet prepared for us in our eternal HOME!

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