1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, August 14, 2011

ZECHARIAH - Home Sweet Home

I'm a foreigner.

You are too.

I suppose all of us in this country, unless we're Native Americans, are really just *imports*. Our ancestors came from another country. I'm one generation removed from my Scottish roots (Aye, I'm just a wee lassie…call me McSharon). But, this isn't quite what I have in mind.

I'm talking about being foreigners on earth.

Because, you see, as believers we don't quite belong here.

Our home is somewhere else.

The Bible tells us that God has planted eternity in the human heart and don't we just sense the truth of that? Doesn't your heart have a longing that you can't quite describe – and you can't quite fulfill – with anything or anyone or anywhere on this humble planet?

Don't you yearn for Heaven?

The blessed assurance is that we hope for a future that is promised it's just waiting for us. Jesus told us that He went to prepare a place for us – and I believe it's the Truth!

And until that day, there will always be a part of us that doesn't belong here. There will always be a part of us that feels out-of-place. There will always be a part of us that lives like a sojourner in a foreign land…

But…(the glorious BUT!)…we have a future and a hope. We have a home just waiting for our return.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" reminded me of this:

"'I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will resettle them…until there is no more room for them all. They will pass safely through the sea of distress, for the waves of the sea will be held back, and the waters of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be crushed, and the rule of Egypt will end. By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the LORD, have spoken!'" (Zechariah 10:10-12)

A little background.

Zechariah's ministry began just two months after Haggai’s in 520 B.C. His message was intended for the people living in and around Jerusalem after their return from exile. For many years, the Israelites had lived in captivity, and now they were back in their homeland.

Zechariah was urging them to repentance, spiritual renewal, and a return to a right relationship with God. He desired to strengthen and comfort the small remnant of God's people.

Though these verses originally spoke to another audience, I believe that we can apply them to our current situation. This pictured return from Egypt and Assyria can be a symbolic way of expressing the hope of our future return to our heavenly homeland, and to our eternity living in the presence of God.

We believers will be gathered and returned from many countries around the world. We will be emancipated from slavery to sin, freed from captivity – we will return to Heaven triumphant!

Here's what I think God is saying to us:

"I will bring you back from Earth and gather you from all the countries of the world. I will resettle you in heavenly mansions…until there is no more room for you all! You will pass safely through the sea of death, for the wages of sin will be held back, and the power of the enemy will dry up. The pride of Satan will be crushed, and the rule of his authority will end. By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

WOW!

I like the sound of that, don't you?!

So, in many ways, this old world just isn’t "home" is it? I was reminded of this song:

This world is not my home, I'm just passing through,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue,
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Oh Lord, you know I have no friend like you,
If heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do,
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.


So, fellow sojourners, live like you don't belong here. Yearn for eternity. Walk the earth, but keep your eyes on Heaven. Remember with confidence the hope we have for the future.

One day we will return to our homeland – and we will be led in triumph by the LORD God Himself!


What is the one thing you're most looking forward to in Heaven?


(Linked today with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. Please feel free to hop on over to my other blog during the week - Sharon Sharing God)


"When in doubt, search God out!"

7 comments:

  1. Blessings Sharon...Rose of Sharon delights in you, you Scottish lassie!

    Is something wrong with blogger or is everyone out playing before summer is gone?

    Maybe they're over at Sharon Sharing, though it says both here....hmmmmmmmmm? Too many foreigners. So that's what Zechariah is about.
    Since my mind is not too focused or made the transition back from Spanish this evening, my comment will be scattered (as you can see).

    This is an excellent piece of work; background, application and a really interesting twist of topic to thinking about our eternal home, the longing that makes us feel like we don't belong or fit.

    Here's what God says about Zechariah's Love letter to us, then I'll tell ya' what I'm looking forward to in HEAVEN:

    "BELIEVE WHAT YOU CANNOT SEE"
    "If you could see right now what is happening in the unseen world, you would be filled with hope. You must trust Me for whatever tastes of glory I choose to provide in this life as you continue to build the temple. You have become a prisoner of hope. The hope I provide anchors a weary, empty, troubled soul in My plan. Beneath difficult feelings, hope encourages by giving you reason to persevere with the joy of anticipation. Happiness depends on present blessing, which I do not guarantee. Joy depends on future hope, which I do guarantee. Do not expect to feel good. You may. You may not. My work of hope reaches into the center of your soul to strengthen your character and deepen your resolve in any circumstance of life. I gave advance notice that My Son would come; that He would be hated and killed; that what His killers meant for evil, I meant for good; that I would then open the eyes of those I invite to the party to realize what they did in killing My Son; that I would meet them in their brokenness with a cleansing fountain; that I would then set My Son on the throne of this world, and everything would be as it should be. Live in hope!"

    Larry Crabb. God's Love Letters to You

    JESUS!!!!!!! surrounded by all my loved ones: friends, families, souls won, crown of life... angels rejoicing and NO MORE TEARS... the final sweet victory and feeling of being home with everyone at peace, getting to meet many dear souls for the first time and hugging them; sitting ... no laying at the feet of Jesus (or is it lying)just listening to Him and singing, praising, dancing... celebration FIESTA!

    Since I left my home and my home state more than 15 yrs. now, I just have never thought about any other home (but heaven). Don't feel like I belong here and I don't belong back home... my home church is the closest I get to feeling like home. I guess I'm just a pilgrim/sojourner is a better word. You have such a way with words Sharon... I will be delighted to HUG YOU and meet ALL your loved ones.

    And ya' know what, I don't even know that song you shared... must be time for bed. Good night Sharon...may El Roi watch over you and yours!!!

    Love and prayers,
    Peggy

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  2. Wonderful and uplifting post, reminds me of the things yet to come.. things not of this world but what is waiting for me. Gives me hope, gives me comforts and gives me peace.

    I can't wait to be reunited with my loved ones, my mom. I can't wait to have no more sorrow and no more tears. To be in the presence pf God to see him. The list can go on and on.

    Thank you for sharing and provoking my thoughts.

    Misty

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  3. So many things I'm looking forward to in heaven. I think perfect understanding is at the top of my list! When I read the OT prophets, I'm amazed at the amount of "ground/work" they had to cover to get the Israelites back to the place of knowing/needing/wanting God. I just assume they should have known better than to stray.

    But then there's our generation, there's me. I'm no so unlike them.

    peace to you this week~elaine

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  4. Hi Sharon,
    Awesome post. The first thing I am looking forward is to seeing my Savior and the wonders of His Kingdom Then all the people I love who are there, who went before me. Lets keep our eyes on eternity.
    Blessings,
    Ken

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  5. Amen, I never let those moments that I feel out of place get me down. I know who I am, where I come from, and where I am going. WE can only imagine what it will be like when we get to heaven.

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  6. You are so right. This world is not our home. We're just a passin' through. What do I want to see first? Jesus, of course, then my mother and other family members and friends, ancestors that I've never met. I figure it will take a very long time just to get through with that, but of course, time will be no problem because there will be no more time.
    Thank you for sharing these encouraging thoughts.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  7. Peggy - As always, I am so touched by your comments. First, Larry Crabb's words are just so inspiring, aren't they?! I agree, there is nothing better about Heaven than seeing the face of JESUS! Having the chance to spend eternity with all the other believers? Well, that's just the priceless extravagance of God's boundless love!

    Misty - Yes, no more tears. That is one thing that I think about often. This old world is so full of sorrow. We cry tears of disappointment, frustration, fear, despair, grief - and all of those tears represent deeply hurt hearts. God stores them all in His bottle - and maybe, just maybe, they'll all be turned into diamonds in His blessedly joyful Presence!

    Elaine - Yup, sometimes I have to catch myself, and stop myself from looking down on those Israelites with disdain. I scoff - wow, what was wrong with them? They were so thick-headed. Um, look in the mirror - how stubbornly foolish am I? Yes, perfect understanding, continually being plugged into God's wisdom - THAT will be paradise!

    Ken - I have eyes that all too often focus on the temporal problems of this world. I have spiritual myopia sometimes. So, yes, I'll join you in putting on glasses that focus clearly and unwaveringly on eternity! I have a feeling that that will bring everything else into perspective.

    Toyin - Yes, you have mentioned the wonderful truth of being a Child of God - knowing who we are, where we come from, and where we're going. It's those things that we must treasure deeply, and we must let them dictate the way we live our earthly lives.

    Charlotte - I'm glad you were encouraged today. Thanks for leaving this comment. Yes, no more time - doesn't that sound wonderful?? I have often felt so frustrated by the way that *real life* steals away time - especially with those I love. Oh, the joy of having forever to be with them! And to be with Jesus, too??? PRICELESS!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!