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I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain.”

“There is no place like home.” That is especially true when we ponder the promise of our heavenly home. No earthly home compares to that home.

Although our earthly homes may be places of happiness and peace, sadly, they can also be places of unrest due to sin within us and around us. Tears often flow because of troubled relationships. Suffering occurs from pain and sickness. Grief fills the heart when death makes its unwelcome presence.

Our heavenly home will be a place of unbroken peace. There, God promises that anxieties and hardships will no longer trouble us. In undiminished peace we will joyfully live as we witness firsthand how God wipes away all tears and has destroyed death forever.

Heaven is also where God’s presence is with his people. We find great comfort knowing God is with us even now as we dwell on earth. We live by faith knowing that God is present. Our faith will be turned to sight when God makes his permanent dwelling with all believers in heaven.

How can we be certain that we will live in that home of unbridled bliss? Such certainty is not found in us or our good works. Our certainty is centered in Christ Jesus, our Savior. He is the one who made his home among us on earth. He lived a perfect life and now credits his perfection to all believers.

As we look forward to heaven, our hearts are filled with joy to live as his blood-bought bride. Our lips also long to tell others of the eternal home God has prepared for them through Jesus.

O risen Savior, I thank you for the strength your eternal Word gives me as I live each day on earth. Dry my tears with the comfort of your unfailing love as I longingly await my eternal home with you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.