Unsatisfied Longings by R. C. B.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1871

Unsatisfied Longings.

By R. C. B.

We may be surrounded by earthly blessings, and have cause for grateful thanksgiving every day of our lives, still there is an aching void in the heart which this world can never fill.

While some declare themselves satisfied with the present state, all of the pious and good of all ages have longed for a better country. Abraham was a man of wealth and prominence in the fruitful land of Canaan; but we read that “he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

The host of worthies who died in faith, had their eyes upon the heavenly inheritance and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers on the earth. David says, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness.”

Not till this mortal is changed to immortality, and death is swallowed up in victory; not till every vestige of the curse is removed from this once lovely sphere, will the longing heart of the Christian be satisfied.

Then shall we dwell in an atmosphere of unclouded delight. Then shall we feast our eyes upon unfading beauty—flowers that never wither—glories that never die. Then will our souls be ravished with sweeter sounds than ever fell on a mortal ear. Then we shall be permitted to join the angelic choir in their rapturous strains.

But earth’s most hideous deformity—that which was the first cause of every other evil, and that from which we most long to be delivered—is sin. This, too, shall be blotted out, when the King of Righteousness shall reign and put all enemies under his feet. The time hastens on. The agonized creation is groaning for redemption.

Calamities unprecedented appall us. God help us to be ready for the final consummation. R. C. B.