Our Heart’s True Home

Hey, thanks for joining us for today's word of encouragement from Our Daily Bread. The devotional for today titled Our Hearts True Home was written by James Banks. Bobby the Wonder Dog was a collie mix separated from his family while they were on a summer vacation more than 2,200 miles from home. The family searched everywhere for their beloved pet but returned heartbroken without him. Six months later toward the end of winter a scraggly but determined Bobby showed up at their door in Silverton, Oregon. Bobby somehow made the long and dangerous trek crossing rivers, desert and snow covered mountains to find his way home to those he loved.

Bobby's quest inspired books, movies and a mural in his hometown. His devotion strikes a chord within perhaps because God has placed an even deeper longing in our hearts. Ancient theologian Augustine describes it this way, you have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. This same longing was desperately yet eloquently expressed by David in a prayer as he hid from his pursuers in Judah's wilderness saying in Psalm 63, you God are my God. Earnestly I seek you, I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water. David praised God because his love is better than life.

Nothing compares with knowing him. Through Jesus God has sought us out and made the way for us to come home to his perfect love regardless of how distant we once were. As we turn to him we find our hearts true home.

The scripture reading that James Banks selected for today is Psalm 63. You God are my God. Earnestly I seek you, I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory because your love is better than life. My lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live. And in your name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods. With singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I will remember you. I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you.

Your right hand upholds me. Those who want to kill me will be destroyed. They will go down to the depths of the earth.

They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear by God will glory in him while the mouths of liars will be silenced. Would you pray with me? Oh God, thank you for searching us out when we were lost and making the way for us to come to you through your life, through your death on the cross and resurrection. Would you help us to faithfully follow you each day now and forever and to point others to you who are lost and in need of your saving grace. It's in Jesus name that we pray and live. Amen.