BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Never Alone

If you recall, these were my original thoughts about "Pick 'ems":

I know it probably isn't "spiritually PC" to randomly open the Bible and expect to find a meaningful verse – it opens the door to the whole "out of context" dilemma. (And...you might just find yourself in Leviticus!!) But, I decided that I wanted to do this, along with my regular reading through the Bible. The way I figured it, I wasn't *testing* God – in other words, "prove something to me, Lord" – I was *trusting* God – "show something to me, Lord." After all, don't we know that His Word is living, breathing, and powerful?!

So, I'm pickin' every day – letting you know what was going on with me that day – and then I'm going to sum up the *theme of the week* that I think God was impressing on my heart.

Hope you're as blessed as I've been!!

MONDAY - (doing demolition at the new house, feeling exhausted)  "The LORD gives his people strength.  The LORD blesses them with peace."  

(Psalm 29:11)

TUESDAY - (worried about how our home inspection was going to turn out)  "Then he [Jesus] asked them, 'Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?'"  (Mark 4:40)

WEDNESDAY - (family meeting with my aging parents, discussing their future)  "But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.  No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned."  (Psalm 34:22)

THURSDAY - (trying to sort out all the very confusing paperwork of escrow)  "Then the LORD gave this message to Solomon: 'Concerning the Temple you are building, if you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made...'"  (1 Kings 6:12)

FRIDAY - (traveling again up to our new home, wondering about the uncertain future)  "'Then I, myself, will be a protective wall...around Jerusalem, says the LORD.  And I will be the glory inside the city!'" 

(Zechariah 2:5)

SATURDAY - (feeling lonely, scared about moving away from family)   "'Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?  Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?' says the LORD."  (Jeremiah 23:24)

The reality of moving is settling in.  And the very tiring work of packing and paperwork is heavy.  This was a week when I was quite consumed thinking about the future.

God's message this week was this truth: He NEVER leaves His loved ones alone, and He is already present in every moment of their future.

He goes before me...

What has God said to YOU this week?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

OBADIAH - Road Trip Home

Ever been on a road trip?

Well, I have – several! But the one that sticks out in my mind is the one I took with my family in 2002.

It all started with a random remark from my banjo-playing youngest son – "Hey, wouldn't it be fun to visit Nashville?" Well, the rest was history. We planned a trip that took us 5,445 miles in 9 days – (I know, because we recorded every single mile on the odometer!)

We retraced Route 66 all the way to St. Louis, Missouri – and then we dropped down into Tennessee, and made our way west through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona – until we reached sunny California again.

I remember that last stretch home. We decided around 9:00 PM one night in Arizona that we were done…finished…kaput. My oldest son and I felt wide awake. So, we looked at each other and thought – why pay for a night in the hotel? Let's just get on the road and get home…

It was a very, very looooonnnggg overnight marathon!

I think we single-handedly cleaned out every Starbuck's Frappucino in every gas station along the way! Caffeine was our best friend. We arrived home early the next morning – none the worse for wear – though a bit bedraggled…

Life is like that, isn't it?

We travel a long journey, logging many miles on the experience odometer – enjoying the ride – but always heading to a final destination. We're all headed home.

Today's "Bible Pick ‘Ems" reminded me of this road trip.

"But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place. And the people…will come back to claim their inheritance…Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem…And the LORD himself will be king." (Obadiah 17, 21)

Obadiah was bringing God's message of judgment to the land of Edom. But he was also talking about the restoration of the people of Israel. He acknowledged that the journey would be long, and bumpy, and fraught with suffering and trials. But, he also assured them that they were heading to a final destination.

They were headed home.

We are, too.

Things aren't much different than they were in Obadiah's day. We wonder how much longer evil will continue. We long to be released from the effects of sin. We want to arrive at our final destination – where we can rest in the eternal blessings of our heavenly home.

We'll get there, my friends.

God has promised that.

He has promised a destination – a home with Him forever.

He has promised a refuge for those of us who will escape eternal judgment. A holy place – a place set apart, a place prepared. A place where we will claim our inheritance bought by Jesus on the cross.

We who have been rescued, are making our way to Jerusalem.

And once we get there, we will reach the feet of the LORD – we will be home.

"And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:2-4)

Yes, I'm a bit exhausted from the long haul home! And these last miles, toward the tail end of my journey, are the hardest at times. But I have my eyes fixed on my destination.

I'm headed home.

And what a glorious home it is!

A home with the Lord…forever.

Are you making your way to Jerusalem?

(Please join me with Peggy at Super Sunday, and Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays. And feel free to visit my daily blog, Sharon Sharing God, during the week!)

"When in doubt, search God out!"