Here are some examples -
William J. Bennett said - "Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms."
Charles Swain said - "Home is where there's one to love us."
Robert Montgomery said - "Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."
Kathleen Norris said - "Peace - that was the other name for home."
There is no doubt about it! Man needs a home. His home is his "dwelling place."
Unfortunately, for some, "home" does not carry with it happy memories. It was not a "shelter from storms"...a place "where there was one to love you"...where "peace" could be found ...or the "spot of earth supremely blest."
More specifically, there are those (even as in recent days) who have had their "homes" swept away by devastating storms and fires...heartbreak and loss...or sudden changes.
In Hebrews 11:8-9, we read of Abraham who "by faith" "when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went... sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise." In Hebrews 11:38, we read of those who "wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." David had his "cave Adullam" (1 Samuel 22:1) and Elijah had his "brook Cherith" (1 Kings 17:3). In 1 Samuel 13:6, we find the men of Israel "hiding themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits."
In the Bible, we also read of Moses who - as a baby - was swept away from his loving "home" to live in Pharaoh's palace in Egypt. He went from there to live in the desert...back in Egypt...and then in the wilderness for forty (40) years with the children of Israel.
Needless to say, through all the years of his earthly career, he never had a permanent home. Indeed, it can be said of him that he was a "stranger and pilgrim on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13)
Consequently, in Psalm 90:1, we find him making one of the most profound statements in one of the oldest "poems" of the world (Psalm 90) - "LORD, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations."
This psalm (including the opening statement) was written during the forty (40) years that God made Israel wander in the wilderness as punishment for their unfaithfulness. It was written for the comfort of the tribes in the desert...the homeless wanderers...the "church in the wilderness" during those years.
And it was also written for the saints "in all generations" - including the present one!
Ever since His covenant with Abraham, God has been a "dwelling place" - a refuge, resting-place, and defense - for all of His people down through the ages. Many of them had no fixed habitation, no settled "dwelling place" (some living in tents), yet they found a "home" in God.
As Moses implied in Psalm 90:1, God is humanity's "home." He is the best "home." He is a place of shelter, supply, love, enjoyment, and rest.
How can the Lord, the Supreme Master, the Ruler of men and earth, be a "dwelling place" - a spiritual "dwelling place"?
He becomes the "dwelling place" (habitation, hiding place, place of refuge) of all those who - from "generation to generation" - trust in Him. He provides a place to which all may come - as coming to their own house. It is a place where all may resort - as one does from a journey, from wandering, from toil, and from danger. It is a place where all may rest secure, unbend themselves, feel at home, and speak familiarly.
To everyone who maintains a constant communion with Him - not running to Him now and then - He becomes "home" - "a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms"...a place where "there's one to love you"...a place where "peace" is found...and "the spot of earth supremely blest, a dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."
To name a few - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Elijah, the children of Israel, and Moses all found God to be "home." So can you!
Matthew Henry said - "True believers are at home in God, and that is their comfort in reference to all the toils and tribulations they meet with in this world. In Him we may repose and shelter ourselves as in our dwelling-place."
The Believer's Bible Commentary said - "While all else fades and vanishes, God is unchanging, a home and refuge for His people..."
Charles Spurgeon said - "To the saints, the Lord Jehovah, the self-existent God, stands instead of mansion and rooftree; He shelters, comforts, protects, preserves, and cherishes all His own. Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the saints dwell in their God, and have always done so in all ages. Not in the tabernacle or the temple do we dwell, but in God Himself; and this we have always done since there was a church in the wilderness."
Barnes' Notes said - "One generation finds Him the same as the previous generation had found Him - unchanged, and as worthy of confidence as ever. None of these changes can affect Him, and there is in each age the comforting assurance that He will be found to be the refuge, the support, the "dwelling-place" of His people."
In Psalm 91:1, Moses continued the "theme" of God as a "home" for His people with these words - "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
Here we find the condition and the promise for all who make God their "home."
The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary said - "God's children should not come to God's secret place as guests to an inn, but as inhabitants to their own dwellings."
To the one who "dwells in the secret place" of prayer and communion with God...places in Him a bold and constant confidence...worships within the veil...loves to be alone with Him and to converse with Him in solitude...has his thoughts always on Him...resorts to Him and relies on Him in dangers and difficulties...and makes Him his friend, God becomes his "dwelling place" or "home."
In this place, the Christian finds divine mercy and care spread over him for his daily protection and solace. No evil can reach him. Hence, he enjoys a holy serenity and security of mind at all times.
This is his "home"...the place where he lodges... where he spends the night. It is sheltered from all evil.
His assurance or confidence is based on the names of God mentioned in this verse of Scripture.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High..."
The "most High" is the inaccessibly High One. He is far above all the rage and malice of enemies. He is far above all earthly changes.
"...shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
The "Almighty" is the invincibly Almighty One. None can stand before His power.
The Pulpit Commentary said - "THE 'ALMIGHTY' IS ABLE TO DEAL WITH ALL EARTHLY CONDITIONS. They can never be so complicated that He cannot unravel them; never so desperate that He cannot master them. 'With God all things are possible.' "
Where is "home" for you?
When you think about "home," do you have pleasant or unpleasant memories?
Recently, have you lost your "home" due to detrimental circumstances and now you feel like a homeless wanderer?
Or perhaps, because of changes in your life that were out of your control, you are presently longing for "home" - "a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms"...a place where "there's one to love you" ...a place where "peace" is found...and which is "the spot of earth supremely blest."
Jesus is humanity's "home." He is the best "home." He is a place of shelter, supply, love, enjoyment, and rest.
When disconcerted with the mysteries of life...your desires all seem to fail...and life grows bitter, you can always resort to Him!
Make Him your "home" today by placing your full trust in Him as your Lord and God!
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved