Our Dwelling Place

When Abraham was 75 years old, God called him to leave the land of his father. And being advanced in years, he departed for the land of Canaan. He was rootless, homeless, literally “not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8; cf. Genesis 12:1-5).

Along with age comes change and uncertainty. It means transition from a familiar past to an uncertain future. It can mean movement from a family home to a smaller place, to a daughter’s home, to a retirement village, or to a nursing home. Like Abraham, some of us make our way from one location to another, always traveling — not knowing where we’re going.

Yet we can be at home in any dwelling, for our safekeeping lies not in the place where we live but in Whom we live (Acts 17:27-28). We can dwell “in the secret place of the Most High” and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). There in His presence, "under His wings," we find "refuge" (Psalm 91:4). The eternal God becomes our "dwelling place" (Psalm 91:9).

Though our dwelling place here on earth may be uncertain (cf. Luke 9:57-58; Hebrews 11:37-38; Hebrews 13:14), God will be our companion and friend until our traveling days are over and we reach our heart’s true home — heaven (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:13-16).

Beloved, until that day, let our lives reflect the light of God’s word to other travelers along the way (Matthew 5:14-16; Proverbs 4:18; Ephesians 5:8; Philippians 2:14-16).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets