by Don Emmitte |
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Yes,
today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it
wouldn't do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem! O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's
messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a
hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me. And
now look, your house is left to you empty. And you will never see me again
until you say, “Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!"
(Luke 13:33-35 NLV). The peach trees are blooming in
my backyard, which signals Spring is very near. For the most part, spring
is a season we really look forward to; everything's blooming and colorful.
Unfortunately, though, spring isn't just flowers. It can mean destructive
storms as well. Some folks who live by rivers and streams must hold their
breath a little each spring. Every year we see vivid pictures of whole
areas submerged under floodwaters and interviews with victims who have
lost many of their possessions. But invariably, you will hear those
victims say, "But we're thankful that at least all of us are
safe." It's true. Things can be replaced, people can't. Not
long ago I remember reading about a particularly destructive flood.
As I was reading the report that which struck me most was the
headline. At the top of the
news article were the words, “Missing People.” They had a picture of a
list on the wall. It was a list of the names of people who were missing in
the flood. But several of those names had a beautiful five-letter words
scrawled over them - "found." I
think God may have a list like that. He must have a list with the names of
those who are lost those who are away from Him, or those who do not have a
personal relationship with Him. It could be that your name is on there.
But look closely - God has written that other word over some of the names-
"found." That COULD be you. This could be your "welcome home" day after being away from your Heavenly Father. You say, "After what I've done?" You're thinking about some of the things you've done or said or thought about while you've been away from God. We all have things we've done that we're not proud of, we're ashamed of that make us feel like this wandering son, and “I am no longer worthy." It is a joyful thing to see a name that was a "missing person" changed to "found." This very moment, God is ready; God is waiting to put "found" over your name. Whatever storms may have come into your life, God is ever watching and waiting for you to turn toward Him. Like a mother hen, He waits to shelter you from all the storms of life. It only requires that you allow Him to do so. Aren’t you ready for that today? Come to Him now with all your cares. He will not disappoint you. |
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