“I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me…

Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.”

Psalm 119:19, 54

Sojourner – one who stays temporarily.

July 4th was earlier this month. Most of us enjoy fireworks and concerts. We remember our founding fathers and are grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy. It’s good to be an American.

But as Christians, our ultimate allegiance is not to a country or an earthly king.

One of the major themes running through Bible is getting back to our real home, getting back to Eden with God. While on this earth we are just pilgrims and exiles.

In Hebrews 11, we are introduced to the heroes of the faith and in the middle of the chapter the author gives an in depth description of our heroes’ geographical allegiance:

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them city.”

Our country is wonderful and God has blessed us with so many freedoms that we shouldn’t take for granted. But we are sojourners as the psalmist says. We are only here temporarily.

Our better country is waiting for us in heaven and Jesus is right now preparing it for us.

So sing those patriotic songs. Thank God for all the blessings he has given us as Americans. But let your eyes be fixed on the better country. And let your theme song be his word as you sojourn.