A Citizen of No Obscure City

Daily Reading: Acts 21

Scripture Focus: I am ... a citizen of no obscure city. (Acts 21.39)

Devotional Thought: My wife and I tease about how we are homebodies... We love our home in the country. We love life in a small town. Living in a city is not something that comes natural to me, so when I read Paul's words about being a citizen of no obscure city, I have to carefully reflect on their significance.

As I think about it, however, I am able to rejoice that I am a citizen of no obscure city!

In the beginning, God created people to be together. At the tower of Babel (Genesis 11), God separated them, giving them boundaries and borders, in order that they might seek him and find their way to him (Acts 17). People are looking for foundations. The history of humanity, from that first scattering until now, is a story of movement to cities. And, innate within the human population, there seems to be a seeking of "a city with foundations whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11). The good news is that we can find that city, and that God will be there to greet us! As the writer of Hebrews goes on to say, "God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city" (11.16).

Is there a yearning in your heart for home? Is there a loved one calling you home? Rejoice, child of God! You have been invited to come home, to come to the city that Jesus has prepared for you. For all eternity, you will dwell in that city and behold the glory of God.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for preparing a place for me. Thank you for my citizenship in heaven. Help me to live in this world with an eye on the next, so that I will be ready when you call me home. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 72.8-16

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! 9 May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!

12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day! 16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!