No continuing city

It’s always a treat to see a treecreeper. A small brown woodland bird, a little larger than a wren and a little smaller than a sparrow, it can sometimes be spotted working its way up a tree trunk or along the underside of a branch, probing the bark for insects with its slender, curved beak.

Earlier this year I was delighted to see that a pair were nesting in a crevice in the bark of one of the old horse chestnut trees along the lane. For a few weeks they could be seen flying busily in and out, feeding their chicks until they fledged and they all flew away. But a couple of weeks ago, strong winds brought down a large, rotten branch of the tree, and now it has been felled completely.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that for those who have trusted Christ for salvation, there is a home that cannot be destroyed.

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens… Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthian 5:1,5-8)

Matthew Henry writes: The believer not only is well assured by faith that there is another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through grace, of heaven as a dwelling place, a resting place, a hiding place. In our Father’s house there are many mansions, whose Builder and Maker is God. Death will strip us of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of life, as well as end all our troubles here below. But believing souls shall be clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and glory.

So, while we wait for the kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us seek, by God’s grace, to serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us also go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. (Hebrews 13:12-14)

Jerusalem the golden,

With milk and honey blest,

Beneath thy contemplation

Sink heart and voice oppressed:

I know not, O I know not

What joys await us there,

What radiancy of glory,

What bliss beyond compare.

For Thee, O dear, dear Country!

Mine eyes their vigils keep;

For very love, beholding

Thy happy name, they weep.

The mention of thy glory

Is unction to the breast,

And medicine in sickness,

And love, and life, and rest.

O sweet and blessèd country,

The home of God’s elect!

O sweet and blessèd country

That eager hearts expect!

Jesus, in mercy bring us

To that dear land of rest,

Who art, with God the Father

And Spirit, ever blest!

Bernard of Cluny