November 10

Morning

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’ — Deut 33:27 BSB

The word refuge can also be translated as “mansion” or “abiding place,” suggesting that God is our home, our dwelling place. This image is rich and sweet, for our homes are dear to our hearts, no matter how humble they may be. But even more precious is our blessed God, in whom we live, move, and have our being.

At home, we feel safe. We shut the world out and live in peace. Likewise, when we are with God, we “fear no evil.” He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge.

Home is where we rest. After the fatigue and struggles of the day, we return home for repose. So too, our hearts find rest in God. When life’s battles weary us, we turn to Him, and our souls find peace.

At home, we can speak freely, without fear of being misunderstood or misjudged. When we are with God, we can pour out all our hidden desires, because “the secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him.” Our secrets belong with Him.

Home is also the place of our truest happiness, and it is in God that we find our deepest joy. The joy we have in Him surpasses all other joys.

Lastly, home is what we work for. The thought of home strengthens us to bear our daily burdens and quickens our hands to complete the day’s work. In this way, we may say that God is our home. Our love for Him motivates us. We think of Him in the person of His Son, and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer compels us to work for His cause. We feel that we must labor, for there are still brothers and sisters to be saved, and we want to bring joy to our Father’s heart by bringing His wandering children home. We desire to fill His house with holy joy. Blessed are those who have the God of Jacob as their refuge!

Evening

It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! — Matt 10:25 BSB

No one would argue with the idea that it is unfitting for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, how was He treated? Were His claims recognized? Were His teachings followed? Were His perfections worshiped by those He came to save? No! “He was despised and rejected by men.” His place was outside the camp, and His task was to bear the cross. Did the world give Him comfort or rest? “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” This unwelcoming world gave Him no shelter—it cast Him out and crucified Him!

If you are a follower of Jesus and live a Christ-like life, you should expect the same treatment. Your spiritual life, as it is displayed in the world, will be treated just as the world treated the Savior—they will despise it.

Don’t expect the people of the world to admire you, and don’t think that the holier and more Christ-like you become, the more kindly they will act toward you. They didn’t appreciate the polished gem—why would they value an uncut stone? “If they called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call the members of His household?” If we were more like Christ, we would be more hated by His enemies. It would be a dishonor for a child of God to be praised by the world. It’s a dangerous sign when the ungodly applaud a Christian’s actions. That Christian should immediately examine their character and ask whether they’ve done something wrong if they’re receiving praise from the wicked. Let us stay true to our Master and avoid forming friendships with a blind, corrupt world that despises and rejects Him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honor where our Lord found a crown of thorns! “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19