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The Most High Our Habitation

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 37.

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The Most High Our Habitation

By E. M. Hawkes

E. M. HAWKES
HOME, dear place of refuge, rest, shelter, sweet understanding, where we gain fresh cheer and courage for life's work! Is there any human longing deeper seated than that for home? Fortunate is the one who has a permanent dwelling-place from which to go out to labor, possibly for some time, and then return, always sure of a welcome. It is a strong source of inspiration when at work to feel that when the rest time comes, friends and kindred are looking for the familiar return. A life without a home is like a leaf carried down stream.
We sometimes think that Christ had no home because he said, “The Son of man hath not where to lay his head;” but he had the best home of all. “In my Father’s house are many mansions,” he said; and to this home, given up for a time that he might work for us, he returned to prepare a place for us; and there he will receive us unto himself, that where he is, we may be also. The essence of home is to be with loved ones, and this desire is forever sanctified by these words of Christ.
The ninety-first Psalm is a most comforting picture of the everlasting protection and surety of those who abide in the Lord and make him their best Friend. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. . . . Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” These words of stately and solemn tenderness can not be equaled by any other assurance of protection and friendship. The marriage vow of cherishing for better or for worse is weak indeed before them, and the inmost soul longs for the shadow of the wings of the Almighty.
There must be a correspondence between heart and home. If the very furnishings of your dwelling do not invite you to be at ease with the familiar comfort coming from daily use, the place is not homelike; and if there are not hands awaiting the help of yours, and eyes that you can brighten by your presence, and faces to smile at sight of you, that place is not home.
If we do not work for the Master now, and learn to speak his language of comfort to the needy, and study eagerly the principles of his life, how can we prepare ourselves to enjoy life with him? “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
When Christ left, the Comforter was sent, the Spirit of truth, to dwell with us. Through all the changes and processes of growth, sad separations and breaking of precious associations, we may have the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, with us to guide us to our lasting home. We are to be no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and we are to be builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
“Joys are flowing like a river, Since the Comforter has come: He abides with us forever, Makes the trusting heart his home. “What a wonderful salvation, Where we always see his face! What a peaceful habitation! What a quiet resting place!”
Springfield, Mass.