Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

Over the years, I've lost a lot of things. I've lost my wallet, my homework, and I'm continuously losing my glasses.

Even so, I am proud to report that I've never lost a country.

Now, you might think it would be hard to misplace a country. If that's your opinion, I encourage you to talk to the Scandinavian furniture store, Ikea.

According to CNN-Canada, the world maps Ikea has been selling in the city of Abu Dhabi have the state of Israel blacked out.

The country of Israel is not laughing at the mistake.

Frank Dimant of B'nai Brith Canada said that a non-existent country of Israel is "reflective of the reality in the Arab world which refuses to recognize the existence of any independent Jewish state."

Now, I'm sure that eventually apologies will be accepted, and Israel will be found and once again show up on those maps.

Even so, the incident reminds us that the day will come when heaven and earth will pass away. All of the world's countries, all the cities, all the communities, all the well-protected borders will disappear on that Day of Judgment.

On that day, those who put their faith in things earthly will find they have misplaced their trust and have lost everything.

Thankfully, because of Jesus Christ, that day does not have to be a time of terror or loss. Those who know Jesus as Savior and believe on His word will find the Lord has taken them through the valley of the shadow of death and relocated them into a new country.

And what a country it will be: one without tears or terror, hatred or horrors, a land from which pain, pestilence, plagues, and problems have been banned.

This God-given country is one nobody should ever lose.

THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I may forget and lose many things. Help me always to remember the Savior, His sacrifice, and the citizenship in heaven that His suffering, death, and resurrection have won for me. Further, I pray You will send Your Holy Spirit and instill faith in those who are still people without countries. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Hosea 9-11    Romans 15:14-33

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