The old 19th-century hymn that has been recorded and re-recorded says, “My heavenly home is bright and fair, I feel like traveling on.” This reflects the attitude of God’s servants throughout the generations. Abraham sojourned in Canaan but was looking for a city (Heb. 11:8-9)—the city of God. He felt like traveling on to a better place. Some have observed that with the rich blessings of God many have become so comfortable in this life they really have no desire to travel on. Do you?
Joseph did. He was not satisfied with this world, so he closed his earthly stay by preparing his people with the promise that God would visit them (Gen. 50:25). His life was a sweet example of faith (Gen. 35-50). He endured and overcame many trials and tribulations to realize great blessings in this life, but he recognized the inevitable promised blessing of God. His earthly request was that His remains be returned to the land of promise. Joseph could say without reservation, “I feel like traveling on.”
Joshua did. In the closing days of his faithful life he spoke as a statesman of God to say, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). He had been a great leader in Israel for many years (Num. 14:8). Through obedient faith he was able to see the promise of God through to the end (Josh. 21:45). He spoke it, lived it, and proved it (Josh. 24:31), living today as an example of faithful service to God.
The apostle Paul did. He looked forward to “a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Cor. 5:1). A spiritual father figure to Timothy, Titus, and Onesimus (II Tim. 4:1-4), he dreamed of a better place. He suffered greatly for the Kingdom (II Cor. 11:24-28), and was ever the encourager of the faithful (Phil. 1:21-24). To go and be with the Lord is “far better.” He had fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith (II Tim. 4:6-8). He was ready to travel on.
Jesus knew the joys of Heaven. He was ready to suffer for all “for the joys set before Him” (Heb. 12:2). As the Author and Finisher of faith, He endured the cross, despising the shame with all the hostility from sinners (v. 3-4) so that He might pay the ransom for our salvation, and travel on to the right hand of God the Father. He looked forward to traveling on.
How do you feel? The Creator God has made us to want to live, but in view of eternity this world is just a temporary stopover. The things of this life will not last. Trials and tribulations will come to all, especially to Christians (II Tim. 3:12). To the man and woman of faith this world will never feel like home. There’s a heavenly home “bright and fair” that beckons the faithful to travel on. Solomon the preacher of old made it clear in the “words of the preacher” in Ecclesiastes, this world will never satisfy. The great hope is eternal salvation in a heavenly home where rest and satisfaction are truly found. Are you ready to travel on? If not, do something about it today!
-David Hill, President of Tennessee Bible College
