What does home look like to you? Are you from a large family or small family? Do you have tons of aunts and uncles and cousins, or just a few family members scattered here and there? Is your family close emotionally, in proximity? Do you spend time together? Do you stay in touch? What is home to you and yours?
Growing up, I was surrounded by family—parents, brothers, aunts and uncles, cousins, great grandparents, friends, and on a regular basis family from out of town. We have a large family. It was nothing to have family reunions with over one hundred people in my great grandparent’s front yard.
On Sundays after church, we were either at my grandparents, my dad‘s parents, or my great grandparents for lunch. Either way, most every Sunday was spent with siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents and/or great grandparents. This is what home looked like to me growing up.
As all of the different branches of my family grew up and out and went our separate ways into adulthood. We have never really been able to spend that same amount of time together as we did when we were growing up. The way that we gather together these days is more through phone calls, emails, texts, group chats, video chat or social media posts. I suppose it is still home to me, just from a different view.
Yes, for the most part, my extended family is scattered about now. But, there will come a time when we will be together again. We will be surrounded by parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great grandparents, and all of our family that has gone on before us. The best thing about this time though is that we will be dwelling in the ultimate promised land. Will be dwelling on high in the presence of our Lord, our Righteous King!
I believe the longing for gathering is not something new. God has always been in the business of bringing His scattered people home.
In Jeremiah 23, we see how Jeremiah describes the way that God‘s people had been scattered about. He shares the Word of the Lord. He tells the leaders that have destroyed the Lord’s chosen that they should be ashamed. He detailed the areas where they had failed. As shepherds, they drove the people of the Lord away. They did not take care of them as they should. This was because of their evil ways.
Jeremiah made known the plans of the Lord that were to come. The Lord would gather the remnant that had been scattered all over the world. He would bring them back to their fold out of all countries where they had been driven. He would set up shepherds over them that would care for them as they should have been cared for. These shepherds would feed them in the way that they needed to be fed, and see that they did not feel fear or discouragement or have need of anything.
In Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah revealed to the people that there were days coming where the Lord would raise up to David a Branch of righteousness. There would be a King that would reign and prosper. This King would execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
He went on to proclaim that in the days of this King, Judah will be saved. The people of Judah would live in safety. The name of this King would be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
This same LORD will be the One to lead them back to dwell in their own land, big and bold. Yes! They will be home—home in safety and prosperity.
So what would be the challenge from these verses of Jeremiah 23:5-6? The challenge here could be to know, and trust and believe that God has ALL things under control and that He is the ultimate decision maker and knows the times when things will be as He has promised. Do we trust our Lord enough to live boldly now while we wait for our gathering home?
How can we apply this to our lives? God never lies. He always does what He says He will do. My faith is strengthened in the hope that God will fix all the wrongs that are here on this earth, that we caused. He will bring His children back together in our eternal home, where He will make all things new and we will be safe and secure forever!
What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I see strong family ties even though we are scattered all about in different towns, cities, and states. The promise that my Lord will bring us together again gives me hope for that future home.
Thank You God for allowing me—for choosing me—to be one of Your children. I eagerly look forward to Your coming kingdom, my eternal home, surrounded by my heavenly family. Help me to do all that I can while I am here on this earth to advance Your kingdom so the family reunion there will be epic!
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Scripture Reference:
“5 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:5-6 (KJV)
Cross-Reference Scripture(s):
“In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” Isaiah 4:2 (KJV)
“And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.” Ezekiel 34:29 (KJV)
“No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]:” Isaiah 35:9 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is a web page that will give you more information about Jesus Christ and hope He can change your eternity: Start Your NewLife With Christ.
In addition, here is an excellent page that can give you additional information on peace with God: PeaceWithGod.net.
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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 