I Have A Home Up Yonder – Sunday Thought For The Day

In bible college and also in seminary we had what were called block classes.  Instead of a class meeting one hour three times a week, the class would meet once a week for three hours.  I especially liked this arrangement in seminary.  I was able to schedule one three-hour class in the morning and my next three-hour class in the evening and still be on my way home by 8pm or 9pm depending upon the time my evening class started, which left my afternoons open.

There are three more things I’ll share about those college years: 1) Getting and maintaining good grades was not a challenge for me; 2) In those days I was a golf-aholic; 3) There was a golf club located less than two miles from campus.  So the three days a week I was on campus, I enjoyed three afternoons of walking a beautiful championship golf course following after a little ball.  This brings me to Psalm 19 KJV.

Late one day in November, following an afternoon spent on the links, I settled into my seat with about 20 minutes to spare before my evening class started.  Seated beside the windows my eyes took in the mountains and the undeveloped fields.  It seemed as if it were the first time I had noticed how perfectly shaped the mostly leafless trees and natural lay of the land was designed.

I vividly recall thinking: “How could I not have noticed this before?”  As I sat there staring at the perfection of creation, I remember being overwhelmed with awe.  It was then that the verse came to me: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1 KJV)

I was held in rapt amazement as I soaked in the perfection of God’s creation.  It was perfection in design, perfection in purpose, and perfection in beauty.

I was reminded in my spirit that the prose of Psalm 19 KJV, passes very quickly from the “natural” (verses 1-6) to the “supernatural” (verses 6ff), i.e., general revelation to special revelation.

As I stared taking it all in, seemingly for the very first time, I was drawn from the natural to the supernatural.  The thought came to my mind that as beautiful as it was, what I was  taking in was stained by sin and how much more beautiful will the new earth be that isn’t stained by sin?

It was a moment that I’ve never forgotten.  It was the realization of how stunningly incomparable heaven and the new earth is for me to imagine in my mind’s eye.  But, yet how desirous I am to see it and spend my eternity in the midst and presence of perfection that’s unstained by sin.  No evil or wicked thought, no pain, no sorrow, no sickness, no death; just the complete and total absence of sin, in the presence of my God and my Savior.  The wonderful thing is, one day I will reside in my home up yonder.  What a glorious thing to look forward to.

READ:
Psalm 19 KJV
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.