Monday, July 31, 2017

Daily Bible Reading - July 31, 2017

Today's Reading:

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

2 Kings 11

Micah 2

Listen to the Bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading   

Both Micah and Paul address the great ingathering of the saints at the end of the world. In 2 Corinthians 15:52-57 and in Micah 2:12, we read of the incredible moment when this old world will end, and God's children will finally be gathered Home:
2 Corinthians 15:52-57 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last Trump: for the Trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Sovereign Yahshua Christ."
Micah 2:12 "I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men."
When that wonderful Day finally comes, there will be no more goodbyes. Yahweh's family will finally be all together for all eternity!

This is subject which has been much in my thoughts of late, for my own son is leaving our home tomorrow morning. Christopher is nearly 23 years old now. We have loved him, cared for him, raised him, prayed for him, and built our lives around him since the wonderful day that he was born. Along the way of watching him grow, there have been moments of joy, experiences of pain, seasons of prayer, and the overshadowing knitting of our hearts and family with this precious child - who was a gift to us, on loan, from Yahweh.

We all shared Christopher's joy when he met the young woman who would become his wife. We've rejoiced with him and her in their June wedding. We've been delighted that Christopher and his new bride came here to be with us - if only briefly...  

Yes, we knew the day of their departure would come - indeed should come, so that this new couple can start their own home. It is healthy and good... and yet... My husband, younger daughter and I have faced the day of his final leaving with mixed emotions. 

Christopher and his new wife are leaving - moving to Manitoba, Canada - in the morning. They won't just be a hop-skip-and-jump away from us, as we'd hoped. The offer of a better job with his new bride's family seems to be just what they need to get the best start on their new lives. And of course - we love them and want the best for them. But saying goodbye is so hard. I am honestly dreading tomorrow morning! And my husband and daughter feel the same.

Oh yes, we'll Skype, and call, and write... And we'll even get to visit them now and again. But while Christopher goes through the process of becoming a Canadian citizen, he likely won't be able to visit us - for two long years...   And it will likely be a long time before we can get up to Manitoba (which is above North Dakota) to visit them.

But in spite of the sadness, this whole experience has taught me something about God on a much deeper level than I previously understood. It's amazing how much I've learned about God from being a parent. I knew the love of God and understood a bit of it before my son was born. But honestly, having our two children has taught Mark and I to comprehend the Fatherly love of God much more deeply than we comprehended it prior to being parents ourselves. 

So now, as we prepare to bid my son and his wife goodbye in the morning, I again find myself understanding something about God that never previously registered so deeply in my soul. Yahweh loves His children. He longs for us to be Home! And having us away from Him makes His Heart ache. He loves us with a tender Father's love. 

Just as we will rejoice when we are reunited with our precious children, so Yahweh will rejoice at the wonderful Reunion that is soon to come. And the good news is that when He takes us Home at last, we'll never have to part from Him - or our saved loved ones - ever again!

So, I am thankful for this bittersweet experience with my son. And in it, I am blessed to get a deeper glimpse into my Father's Heart. 

I want to go Home - Don't you?