The Only Pathway
To True Happiness

Chapter 6

Happy are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8

Those who finally make it to the kingdom will have passed a number of spiritual milestones along the way. One of the more important of these milestones is the solemn realization that our natural hearts are strangely enchanted with the corrupt and the impure in our world. Another milestone that is usually passed soon after this one is a growing awareness that we are powerless to unfetter ourselves from this inborn enchantment with corruption and impurity.

`Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard change its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.' (Jeremiah 13:23)

Despite our sincere efforts to overcome the sin that `so easily besets us,' the time will surely come when we will consider the state of our hearts and, in desperation, we will echo the cry of Job . . .

`Who can bring what is pure from the impure?' (Job 14:4)

Notice that Job asks "who" can make us pure and not "what" can make us pure. Job surely understood that "things" such as rituals, sacrifice, and music are unable to turn impure hearts into pure hearts. Nevertheless, where human invention fails, Divine intervention cannot fail. God has given us the assurance that He can `bring what is pure from the impure.' Says the Lord, . . .

`I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.' (Ezekiel 11:19)

By a miracle, and by a miracle alone, God changes our hearts. But just how does God bring about this miraculous transformation? Paul gives us a clue. He tells us that . . .

`It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.' (Hebrews 13:9)

Grace is the power that God uses to purify the heart. There simply is no other way, for . . .

`It is [only] through the impartation of the grace of Christ that sin is discerned in its hateful nature and finally driven from the soul temple.' (FW100.3)

No wonder God's grace is referred to as `amazing grace' for, truly, only something amazing can bring about so profound a transformation.

Understanding, therefore, that it is grace that liberates us from evil, we would do well to consider the matter of grace in its special role as . . .

The Purifier Of Hearts

As was discussed earlier, grace is unmerited favour, or, if you like, undeserved kindness. In the light of this definition, we conclude that there are two parties to grace - namely (1) the undeserving party and (2) the Kind Party. This means that in order for us to better appreciate the magnificence of God's grace, . . .

(1) we must understand how undeserving we are, and . . .

(2) we must understand how kind God is. 

This is essential for it is only when we comprehend the full extent of our unworthiness that we can begin to appreciate the magnitude of God's kindness - and the awesome dimensions of His grace. Some might tend to think otherwise, but the truth is that . . .

`The more lowly the soul in its own estimation, the more distinctly and clearly will God be discerned.' (ST10-03-95.12)

In other words, we must be willing to see the worst in ourselves if we wish to see the best in God - for the best in God is most evident in His gracious dealings with the worst of sinners.

No one relishes a face-to-face confrontation with their true selves, and yet, without such a confrontation, it is impossible for us to find our way to the fountain of peace. Yet, in reality, we have nothing to fear as we seek an honest evaluation of our sinfulness, for we have the assurance that . . .

`Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.' (Romans 5:20)

The promise that Paul is here setting before us is that as our perception of our sinfulness increases, we can rest assured that we will always find a super-abundance of grace pardoning our sin, comforting our sorrows, and drawing us into the loving arms of our kind and compassionate heavenly Father.

Come to think of it, if a face-to face confrontation with our real selves will enable us to better appreciate God's grace, then such a confrontation is most desirable for, after all, it is our perception of God's grace that purifies and strengthens our hearts and, more than this, it is His grace that both justifies and saves us.

Thus it is with the glorious objective of seeing the worst in ourselves, and this in order that we may see the best in God, that we should consider the humbling truths that follow.

The Undeserving Party

We have already devoted much attention to the lowliness of man, but there is one description of the carnal heart that is so humiliating that we can only receive great blessing by considering this description. Once again it is Paul who favors us with the word portrait. If not for the refining influence of God's Holy Spirit, the ensuing passage would constitute a perfect representation of your heart and mine. The indented paragraphs following are adapted from Romans 3:10-18.

The carnal man will sometimes do right things but he will seldom, if ever, do right things with right motives. When he does do right things, he will be sorely inclined to take pride in his superior goodness - not realizing all the while that . . . "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" and that `the works of the selfish heart are "as an unclean thing." ' (MB54.1)

The truth is that `the human character is . . . terribly unlike that of the first man as he came from the hands of the Creator.' (RH11-24-85.9). In fact, `the nature of man is in opposition to the divine will, depraved, deformed, and wholly unlike the character of God expressed in His law.' (ST06-09-90.12)

Like the stench emanating from a recently opened grave, our throats give expression to the vilest and most loathsome thoughts. With our words we so often bury people alive. In fact, our words are not unlike slow poison, for we frequently kill people by degrees - first we kill their self-respect, then we kill their reputation, and then, because we so often do these things under the cloak of religion, we even kill their faith.

Wherever we go, we leave a wake of destruction, sadness, hurt and heartache behind us. Without a doubt, `the inhumanity of man towards man is our greatest sin.' (MH163.2)

Such is the nature of man that selfish pleasure and self-glory are all that really interest us. From East to West and from North to South, `everyone looks after his own interests.' (Philippians 2:21). The thought that God could use us as His instruments to promote harmony, serenity, tranquility and peace never even enters our minds. So chronic is our situation that `unless man is given the converting grace of heaven, he will have no disposition to oppose Satan's counsels, and will become the enemies willing dupe.' (13MR383.1)

True, the carnal man will sometimes go in search of God, but he does not do this because he loves God, but only to flatter his pride and perhaps to impress the local community. In the final analysis, however, Scripture gives us the assurance that `there is no-one who understands, no-one who seeks God.' (Adapted from Romans 3:10-18)

In the light of Paul's description of the carnal heart, it is impossible to imagine that we could be more undeserving than we are. How else could we respond to this disclosure than to mournfully repeat the cries of Isaiah and Job, . . .

`Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips. I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.' (Isaiah 6:5; Job 42:6)

Yet, praise God, as miserable as our situation may be, all is not lost. Despite our depravity, our infinitely kind Redeemer has suffered the penalty that we deserve and, by so doing, He has secured for us the right to cherish a hope that is absolute.

The Kind Party

If we understood our true condition, but did not have a corresponding appreciation of God's kindness, we would surely have every reason to become most discouraged. Thanks to grace, however, we have the positive assurance that God is an ever-present friend and comforter. In fact . . .

`The Lord wants every one of us to believe that He is the very best friend we have.' (10MR119.2)

It matters not how undeserving we might be, it matters not what crime we might just have committed, but there is always a place where unworthy sinners can find refuge, a place to which we as guilty, iniquitous mortals, can flee, there to be lavished with undeserved kindness and infinite love. This place is called the Sanctuary - so named because it is a special place of shelter for the wayward and the unworthy.

As we enter the sanctuary by faith, we will there be met by our Great High Priest - the all-sympathetic Jesus. We have the assurance of Scripture that He is infinitely greater than angels, infinitely greater than Moses, infinitely greater than any high priest of an earthly order - but, more than this, he is also infinitely kind, infinitely loving, infinitely patient, and infinitely compassionate.

`The Lord God through Jesus Christ holds out His hand all the day long in invitation to the sinful and fallen. He will receive all. He welcomes all. It is His glory to pardon the chief of sinners. . . . He will lower the golden chain of His mercy to the lowest depths of human wretchedness, and lift up the debased soul contaminated with sin. . . . Souls guilty and helpless . . . are cared for as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his flock. . . . By the mystery and glory of the cross we are to discern His estimate of the value of the soul. . . . Every soul, however degraded by sin, is in God's sight accounted precious.' (MH161-163)

Perhaps the greatest tragedy in our world today is the perception that so many people have of God. Is the God that you serve an unfeeling dictator? Is He a strict authoritarian? Does He turn his back on you when you do wrong? Is He stern and inflexible, and unwilling to pardon the transgressor? . . . 

Or do you serve the true God - the God of infinite tenderness - the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture?

(1) Does your God deal `gently with those who are ignorant and who are going astray?' (Hebrews 5:2)

(2) Is your God `kind to the ungrateful and wicked?' (Luke 6:35)

(3) Does your God refer to you as His brother? (Hebrews 2:11)

(4) Does your God help you when you are tempted? (Hebrews 2:18)

(5) Does your God sympathise with your weaknesses? (Hebrews 4:15)

(6) Does your God forgive your wickedness and forget your sins? (Hebrews 8:12)

(7) Does your God justify the wicked? (Romans 4:5)

(8) Did your God die for the ungodly? (Romans 5:6)

(9) Does your God welcome sinners and eat with them? (Luke 15:2)

(10) Does your God send the rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous? (Matthew 5:45)

(11) Does your God cause the sun to rise on both the evil and the good? (Matthew 5:45)

(12) Is your God gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and faithfulness? (Jonah 4:2; James 5:11; Psalm 86:15)

(13) Is your God kind and forgiving, and abounding in love to all who call on Him? (Psalm 86:5)

Once we appreciate how undeserving we are, we realise that we surely do need a big-hearted God, One who deals very kindly with the ignorant, the straying, the weak, the wicked, and the ungodly, for that, by nature, and without exception, is exactly what we are. As fallen children, we have a desperate need of a patient, empathetic, sensitive Father, One who follows our steps through life with intense concern.

As sinners, we are like infants learning to walk on the golden sands of holiness. When we commit a wrongful act, our kind Father does not turn away from us. In fact, at such times we can rest assured that He is reaching down to lift us up, to embrace us, to support us, and to encourage us to try again.

God is rich in patience. He knows that it will take time for us to learn to walk along the path of faith and, like any kind earthly father, He watches over us with infinite tenderness as we stumble over the myriad temptations of this life. If we could see the end from the beginning, we would know that . . .

`No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults and mistakes of His children, as is God with those He seeks to save. No one could plead more tenderly with the transgressor. No human lips ever poured out more tender entreaties to the wanderer than does He.' (SC35)

As the path of life unfolds before us, we need a constant awareness that God really is a `refuge in times of distress.' (Jeremiah 16:19)

`We may take our sins and sorrows to His feet; for He loves us. His every look and word invites our confidence.' (FLB204.5)

More than this, we must appreciate that He is our refuge at all times - even when we are at our lowest; even when temptation has triumphed over us; even when guilt and remorse are threatening to overwhelm us. This we must understand, for, in all of the struggles of life, . . .

`We must have the assurance that a hand all-powerful will hold us up, and an infinite pity be exercised toward us if we fall.' (SD154)

Even when we are dejected and filled with despair, we need to remember that . . .

`The moment of greatest discouragement is the time when divine help is nearest.' (DA528)

At all times, and in all situations . . .

`We need to know of . . . an infinite Friend that pities us. We need to clasp a hand that is warm, to trust in a heart full of tenderness. And even so God has in His word revealed Himself.' (FLB54)

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. This means that he was the same for all of yesterday, and that he will be the same for all of today and for all of tomorrow. We can rest assured, therefore, that He is the same before we commit a wrongful act, when we commit a wrongful act, and even after we have committed a wrongful act. Our waywardness does disappoint Him, but it does not drive Him away from us, for . . .

`No circumstance, no distance, can separate us from the Heavenly Comforter.' (FLB56.3)

We must accept, therefore, that . . .

`God really is . . . a Father waiting with yearning love to receive the returning Prodigal, not hurling at Him accusations of wrath, but preparing a feast to welcome his return.' (GW157)

`Although the compassions of man may fail, still God loves and pities, and reaches out His helping hand. God's everlasting arms encircle the soul that turns to Him for aid. He is our source of strength, our stronghold in every trial. When we cry out to Him for help, His hand will be stretched forth mightily to save. In every circumstance, under every condition, the soul weighed down with grief and care, or fiercely assailed by temptation, may find assurance, support, and succor [help] in the unfailing love and power of a covenant-keeping God.' (ST05-19-98; CC262)

The Fruit of Grace

Once we appreciate the dimensions of grace, that is, once we understand on the one hand how undeserving we are, and we appreciate on the other hand how very kind God is to the undeserving, the realization of our desperate need should drive us into His arms. At the same time, our appreciation of His kindness will assure us of a warm welcome. Thus, contrary to popular belief, and thanks only to grace once more, our sinfulness should not separate us from God, but draw us closer to Him.

God wants us to know that He is a fountain of infinite compassion. He invites even the most unworthy of mortals to drink freely from this fountain and to have his wounded soul gently bathed in the healing waters of undeserved kindness. There is never a time when we will be turned away from God's oasis of heavenly caring. There is never a situation for which infinite love has not made abundant provision. Every way we turn, God is there. No matter what we do, God is there.

`Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.' (Psalm 139:7-10)

In every circumstance in life, God wants us to hear His tender supplication . . .

`Come unto me . . .'

If we can only shed our traditional conception of God, and realise instead that we really do have a compassionate best-Friend, One who is ever ready to pick us up and to dust us off, One who is ever-willing to help us in our times of deepest anguish, then, through the eyes of faith, we will look every which way and there behold His love. Then, through the touch of faith, we will experience that life-changing grace that has the unique ability to transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

In straight-forward, practical, day-to-day terminology, therefore, what is it that brings about the miraculous metamorphosis of the human heart? Simply this . . .

`He who beholds the Saviour's matchless love will be elevated in thought, purified in heart, transformed in character.' (DA661)

It is all profoundly simple. As we contemplate the depths to which we have fallen, and as we marvel at God's incredible love towards us, and this despite our fallen state, we can only be filled with hope and, as John tells us, . . .

`Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.' (1 John 3:3)

Where ceremonies, sacrifice and human effort can only fail at transforming the human heart, God's love reaches into the innermost depths of the soul, dissolves away our selfishness, and fills the heart with new desires, new motives, and new ideals - and, marvel of marvels, we find ourselves eagerly inviting our new best Friend to take over management of our lives.

The Fountain of Grace

Clearly, therefore, though the heart is miraculously transformed by God, there is a part that we are to play. It's the same, old, beautifully simple truth, . . .

`The only way a person can be pure is to become like-minded with God. How can we know God? By studying His Word.' (SD297)

`How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.' (Psalm 119:9)

If we will but make a decided effort to study God's word diligently and daily, if we will only make it a habit to meditate upon spiritual themes, we have the guarantee that the mind's eye will begin to see the two parties to grace in clearer focus. Then, as His Word dissolves the blinding mists of self-love and misperception, we will find it impossible to think of God as an unapproachable despot who watches over us "from a distance." Rather, and no matter who we are, and no matter what we have done, we will begin to realise that God is an ever-present friend and companion. We will see Him in a new and endearing relation as our Redeemer, as a Father longing to embrace and to encourage a repenting son, and as a partner in life who is deeply anxious over our wellbeing. (MB25/26)

`While all men shall behold Christ as a judge, the pure in heart shall behold him . . . as a friend and elder brother.' (ST 10-03-95.3)

And the more we train our minds to devotion, and the more we continually seek God through ardent prayer and the study of His Word, the more our hearts will be purified. Just as it was with Jesus, so it can be with us . . .

`Absorbed in communion with God, He was lifted above human weakness.' (DA118)

Having discovered the wonders of Redeeming Love, the highlight of our every day will be the hours that we spend alone with God, beholding Him, meditating on His kindness, talking to Him, and basking in His warm love. With our newfound appreciation of the cleansing power of grace, we will continually cherish the thought that . . .

`One steadfast look to the Saviour uplifted upon the cross will do more to purify the mind and heart from every defilement than will all the scientific explanations by the ablest tongue.' (LHU297)

Realizing this, Calvary will become the pivotal point around which our lives will revolve. Then, rather than battle against our sins, we will battle against those things in life that keep us from spending time alone with Jesus every day, - for then we will know of a certainty that . . .

`It is fellowship with Christ, personal contact with a living Saviour, [and not our single-handed, self-centered efforts to overcome the sin in us,] that enables the mind and heart and soul to triumph over the lower nature.' (COL388.1)

Even in the face of the vilest temptation, and even if that temptation does get the better of us, we will never allow our failures to keep us from sitting at the feet of Jesus. In fact our spiritual setbacks will only make us the more determined to bask in the light of His presence.

Then . . . `as you realize your inability and weakness and cry for help, a divine voice will come to you from the battlements of heaven saying, ``Take hold of My strength.'' ``Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' (TMK115)

`True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan's control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the Holy Spirit, and . . . it is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure.' (DA466, 671)

Just think of it - we have an omnipotent God who is always by our side, we have an omni-present Holy Spirit who has been assigned to our case and, even in our utter weakness, we have unlimited strength at our command. More than this, we have the encouragement of knowing that . . .

`There is no limit to the help that the Saviour is willing to bestow on us.' (HP275.5)

With such immense powers allied to our cause, and with such incredible promises to cling to, we can only join Paul in his declaration of confidence:

`If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31)

A Treasure Worth Dying For

When studying the Old Testament, one cannot help but to be fascinated by the thought that Jesus once studied the very same words. I often wonder how Jesus, in His earlier years, must have felt when He read the words that spoke of his life of hardship, and especially those words that prophesied of His impending suffering. How would you react if you caught a glimpse of the future and you saw that your appearance would one day be `disfigured beyond that of any man' and that your form would be `marred beyond human likeness?' (Isaiah 52:14)

Surely the human side of Jesus' nature must have recoiled at the thought of what lay ahead. Surely, considering His foreknowledge of what he was to undergo, we can excuse Him for having repeatedly asked His Father to remove the cup of suffering from Him.

Jesus certainly was very brave, but what was it that motivated Him to continue along the path that He knew could only lead to humiliation, heartache, excruciating pain, and a shameful death? What was the ultimate reward that enabled Him to "endure the cross" and to "despise the shame?" (Hebrews 12:2)

Scripture left Jesus in no doubt as to the price that He had to pay, but it also spoke of the prize that He was to win. Throughout His life, Jesus must have treasured the thought that . . .

`After the suffering of His soul, He [would] see the light of life and be satisfied.' (Isaiah 53:11)

`What sustained the Son of God in His betrayal and trial? He saw of the travail of His soul and was satisfied. He caught a view of the expanse of eternity and saw the happiness of those who through His humiliation should receive pardon and everlasting life. His ear caught the shout of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.' (8T43)

Jesus knew that beyond the cross there was a reward that was well worth dying for - a prize that He and the Father considered as being of far too great a value to be lost. But just what was that prize?

`Of all things that are sought, cherished, and cultivated, there is nothing so valuable in the sight of God as a pure heart.' (4T559)

`In their untainted purity and spotless perfection, Christ looks upon His people as the reward of all His suffering, His humiliation, and His love, and the supplement of His glory.' (FLB142)

If pure hearts are such a special treasure to our Redeemer; if pure hearts cost our Saviour such intense sorrow and anguish; if it was to have the pleasure of transforming our hearts that Jesus was willing to be rejected by friends, by family, and finally by the Father Himself, then surely we owe it to Him to guard our hearts from every defiling influence? Surely, whenever we are tempted to pollute the soul temple, we should turn our thoughts to Calvary and there behold the Precious Friend who gave all that He had for the pleasure of one day seeing our hearts purified and renewed? This is certainly one good reason why . . .

`Those who would not fall prey to Satan's devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest.' (1MCP228)

And what of the cheap, the violent, the crude, and the corrupt that are so commonplace on television and in the media today? Did Jesus suffer the punishment that we deserve only to see us sacrifice our hearts on the polluted shrines of Babylon?

Surely His love is sufficient to win our affections and to motivate us to heed the inspired counsel . . .

`Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.' (Proverbs 4:23)

The Blessing

This brings us to consider the blessing that is promised to the pure in heart, namely, that they will see God.

At first glance this blessing might appear to be a contradiction for, as discussed in the previous chapters, it is only as we see God that our hearts are purified. How then could Jesus have suggested that only the pure in heart would see God?

Once we see the deeper meaning behind the word "see," however, we realise that this is not a contradiction by any means. The Greek word that is here translated "see" is "Optonomai." Strong's Concordance renders this word as:- Gazing with wide open eyes as at something remarkable, Mind boggling, To gape.

Thus, with the latter translation in mind, and bearing in mind the context of the previous chapters, we might expand on the thought expressed in Matthew 5:8 as follows:

Blessed are they whose hearts have been purified by beholding God, for they will gaze in mind-boggling awe and wonder at His life-transforming, heart-melting kindness.

In other words, it is as we see God that our hearts are made pure, but what we see of God will amaze us and leave us astounded that such love could be bestowed on such unworthy sinners.

We conclude, therefore, that the blessing that is promised to the pure in heart, that being that they will stand aghast at the graciousness of God, is not merely a promise of what will happen when Jesus comes, but a promise that can find fulfillment right here and right now.

`When God is seen as He is, the blessed truth shines with a new and clearer light. That which kept the mind in perplexity is cleared away by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.' (1SM184)

The Heart Made Pure

If we did not understand God's way of transforming impure hearts into pure hearts, we would surely become most discouraged as we considered the characteristics of the pure heart. Once we appreciate the power of God's grace, however, and once we accept that the pure heart is a portrait that God alone can paint, we will consider the characteristics of the pure heart, not as facets of an impossible dream, but as promises of what God will do when we "fix our thoughts on Jesus." (Hebrews 3:1). No matter what the circumstances of our life, we can rest on God's promise . . .

`A new heart also will I give you.' (Ezekiel 36:26)

With confidence, therefore, and with a good measure of wonderment as we meditate on the awesome compassion of our Master, let us consider some of the characteristics that God has promised to implant in our hearts:

(1) A pure heart is the temple where God dwells, the sanctuary where Christ takes up His abode.

(2) A pure heart is above everything that is cheap or low;

(3) It is a shining light,

(4) It is a treasure house from which come uplifting, sanctified words.

(5) It is a place where the imagery of God is recognized, and where the highest delight is to behold His image.

(6) It is a heart that finds its whole and only pleasure and satisfaction in God

(7) It is a heart whose thoughts and intents and purposes are alive with godliness.

(8) Such a heart is a sacred place; it is a treasury of all virtue. (ML 263)

The Great Home-Maker

Considering the foregoing, we can only marvel at the thought that God is willing to make His home in humble hearts that have been made pure. As He declares in His word, . . .

``I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit.'' ' (Isaiah 57:15)

In this regard, Jesus Himself gave us the promise . . .

`If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love Him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.' (John 14:23)

These thoughts bring us to the conclusion that Jesus is not only the great Life-giver, but also the great Home-maker. As the author of life, He surely knows that the quality of life, and that life itself, revolves around the home - for what is life without a home?

Thus it was with the object of becoming a home-maker that Jesus left the comforts of His own home in heaven. The fact that His mission would result in Him having `no place to lay His head,' did not deter Him in the least. (Matthew 8:20)

His first priority as a home-maker was to make a home for His Father - a wonderful thing for any son to do for his dad. This home He came to establish in our hearts.

`From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being . . . should be a temple [home] for the indwelling of the Creator.' (DA161)

Thus we can better appreciate why it is that Jesus places so high an estimate on hearts that have been made pure, for every such heart is a new extension to His Father's home. It must surely have been with this thought in mind that Jesus declared to His Father:

`Zeal for your house will consume me.' (John 2:17)

Having made every provision for the building of His Father's home, Jesus' next priority was to give to mankind the confidence of knowing that, even on this planet, we can have a home that is secure and safe. As He promised through the words of the Psalmist:

`If you make the Most High your dwelling [your home] . . . then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.' (Ps 91:9-11)

This home is like no other home on earth. Even the psalmist looked in wonder upon this dwelling and was led to declare . . .

`How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord.' (Psalm 84:1, 2)

This is the most desirable of all dwelling places, and very secure indeed. Even today, as we look to the future and to `a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations' (Daniel 12:1), Jesus stands at the doorway to His Father's heart and beckons to every fallen soul . . .

`Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut the doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.' (Isaiah 26:20)

Then, finally, having established a home for His Father, and having established a home for His brothers and sisters on earth, Jesus has given us the assurance that we will one day have homes in heaven. As He told those gathered at table with Him, . . .

`In my Father's house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place [a home] for you.' (John 14:2 KJV)

What a kind Friend we have in Jesus. He gave up all that he had in order to cater for the needs of His creatures. Nothing was beyond His all-seeing eye.

`Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself.' (Psalm 84:3)

Surely the extraordinary thoughtfulness and steadfast caring of our Master are enough to win our allegiance, and to make us willing to open the doors of our hearts so that God may have a home on earth - and that we might one day share a home with Jesus in heaven?

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The following poem speaks of the response of the heart to the overwhelming kindness of God.

By Love Procured

If Thou beheld a worm like me,
And chose to suffer my penalty,
And by thy blood hast set me free,
Then take my heart, I give it to Thee.

If all that I've done so foul and mean,
Is washed away, and my slate is clean,
Not through merit, but through Love so keen,
Then Master I'm yours, to work and to glean.

If through the pain that you endured,
My hope of heaven is fully secured,
And now, under grace, I may rest assured,
Then I am yours - by Love procured.