How Far From Home are You?

Daily Devotional – Saturday, April 22, 2023
… for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11 (NKJV)

Both my high school and universities were far from home. It would take me many hours (a whole day in the case of the university) to arrive home at the end of the term or semester. Tired of sitting and staring at familiar sights throughout the journey, I often would ask myself, “How far from home am I?

Are We Almost There?

This question came back to my mind today, though I was not traveling. I was thinking of another type of journey, the one that inspired Annie R. Smith to pen the beautiful hymn, How Far From Home?

Smith wrote the song in 1853 in the aftermath of the Great Disappointment, when Christians had expected the Second Coming of Jesus, after interpreting scripture erroneously. Even after many had given up on Jesus, a few believers (including Smith) still believed that Christ would return.

The Morning Soon Will Come

In the first stanza, the persona asks a watchman how much longer believers have to wait for Jesus to return. The guard replies, “The long, dark night is almost gone. The morning soon will break. Then weep no more, but speed thy flight…” Indeed, night of trouble, despondency, sickness and sin will end when Christ returns.

In the second stanza, in response to “How far from home?” the warrior replies, “With courage bold, the sword I’ll wield. The battle is not long.” The earth, sea and sun, in the third stanza. add, “Time’s wasting sands are nearly run. Eternity is nigh.”

It Will Not Be Long

Stanza four sums up with the reassuring message, “Then weep no more, since we shall meet, where weary footsteps never roam. Our trials past, our joys complete, Safe in our Father’s home.”

How far from home are we? Natural calamities are increasing in impact and occurrence. Pandemics are ravaging the earth more frequently. Civil and international wars are increasing. We are at the vicinity of our home. We have seen glimpse of it. It will not be long now before our King comes to takes us home. “For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11).

How Far From Home?

Are you “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ?” (Philippians 2:13). Christ is returning to take home those who have been walking with Him daily. How prepared are you? If you die before He returns, will you be among those who will resurrect to receive Him? How far from home are you?

Prayer
Dear Jesus, I know I am not far from home. Prepare me to receive You on that glorious day.