It came at me from two different readings this morning . . . one in Acts, the other in the Psalms . . . different contexts, same truth. And so, because of the repetition, it’s causing me to pause and reflect . . . and become a bit homesick . . .

First encounter with the phrase, Stephen’s stirring defense before the high priest and council in Acts . . .

Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things? (Acts 7:48-50 ESV)

And then I moved to Psalm 11, and there David, led by the Holy Spirit, pens these words for his song,

The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test, the children of man. (Psalm 11:4 ESV)

Observation: The Lords throne is in heaven . . . the Lord’s throne IS heaven. Implication: The earth is but a footstool . . . a temporary one at that . . . this is not the center of the universe . . . nor is this the ultimate prize to contend for. Application: My home is where His throne is . . . that’s the prize . . . that’s the destination that’s been punched into my internal GPS.

A throne . . . a place where a King dwells . . . a seat where a Sovereign sits . . . an atmosphere filled with the majesty of the Most High. I try to imagine the glory and realize that I really can’t. I know it will be bright . . . for my King dwells in unapproachable light (1Tim. 6:16). I imagine it to be loud . . . as myriads upon myriads of angels shout with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” — what does thousands upon thousands of angels calling out at the top of their voices sound like? I imagine it to be a choral room unlike any every constructed or inhabited . . . the acoustics perfect . . . the choir beyond counting . . . the joyful noise in perfect pitch and harmony . . . the song, a new song, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9) . . . “And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! ‘”(Rev. 15:3).

And so I’m reminded heavens where it’s happening . . . and where it’s going to happen. This world is not my home . . . home is where the throne is.

I guess that’s why Paul encourages me to seek the things that are above . . . to set my mind on things that are above and not on things on the earth (Col. 3:1-2). Its way too easy to lose perspective . . . too natural to get fixed upon the horizontal . . . rather than recognizing the vertical . . . oh, and that reminds me, this morning I also read about Jacob having a dream of a ladder which was set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven . . . Jacob too, needed to be reminded to look up . . . to look WAY UP!

And what’s most amazing, is that I have access to that throne . . . permission to enter the courts of unimaginable majesty . . . an invitation to come, and to draw near, to His seat of sensory-popping glory . . . garments provided, through the blood of Christ, fit for entrance upon holy ground as I encounter His very presence . . . and a reminder, a quiet reminder, that the best is yet to come . . . that home is where the throne is.

Thank you, Father.