Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Billy Graham
We’re Just Passing Through
I don’t know about you, but I yearn for God’s kingdom to be established so that this world full of sin will finally be history. We are only passing through this life in preparation for the life to come. It’s not our home. Our home is coming in the New Jerusalem which will descend out of heaven (Rev 21:1-2), and so that’s what I wait for…but more so, I wait for the King of kings and Lord of lords to welcome us into the eternal kingdom that is to come and to fall before Him and worship Him.
But for a Moment
I know so many Christians who are going through severe trials right now, and to them, it seems it will never end, but the Apostle Paul encourages us to remember that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2nd Cor 4:17), and “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18). Today, it’s a hard story…but tomorrow, it’s His glory!
Strangers in a Strange Land
The Israelites wandering through the wilderness is a lot like our journey. We will face some hardships and uncertainty along the way, but we must realize we’re only strangers passing through a land that is not ours…but someday, we will cross over into the Promised Land because Jesus has already crossed over and conquered death, so no wilderness experience will ever keep us from the coming kingdom.
Following Him
If we get off track and start to follow a man, preacher, teacher, or whoever, we’re following the wrong Person as we should be following Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Jesus said “A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:5), and only Jesus can say, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15).
Conclusion
I am glad this is not my home. I don’t want to live in this world but the world to come (Rev 21:3-5), so remember we’re only passing through in this life; our afflictions today are but for a moment compared to eternity; we are only strangers in a strange land; and we must be following the Good Shepherd, and not any man. He is the Good Shepherd…all others are at best, under-shepherds to the Good Shepherd.
