Bible in a Year:
In distant lands they will remember me . . . and they will return.
Walter Dixon had five days to honeymoon before he shipped off to the Korean War. Less than a year later, troops found Dixons jacket on the battlefield, with letters from his wife stuffed in the pockets. Military officials informed his young wife that her husband had been killed in action. Actually, Dixon was alive and spent the next 2.5 years as a POW. Every waking hour, he plotted to get home. Dixon escaped five times but was always recaptured. Finally, he was set free. You can imagine the shock when he returned home!
Gods people knew what it was to be captured, moved far away, and to long for home. Due to their rebellion against God, they were exiles. They woke each morning yearning to return, but they had no way to rescue themselves. Thankfully, God promised Hed not forgotten them. I will restore them because I have compassion on them (Zechariah 10:6). He would meet the peoples relentless ache for home, not because of their perseverance, but because of His mercy: I will signal for them . . . and they will return (vv. 89).
Our sense of exile may come because of our bad decisions or because of hardships beyond our control. Either way, God hasnt forgotten us. He knows our desire and will call to us. And if well answer, well find ourselves returning to Himreturning home. Reflect & Pray
Where do you sense exile in your life? How are you hearing God calling you, showing you how to return home?
God, I feel far away from You. I know Youre near, but I feel so distant. Would You help me to hear Your call? Would You bring me home?
Howdy, Rus! (((hugs))) This is the time of year for “Returning Home” in the earthly sense. Thanks for our beautiful lesson from God’s Word.