The Road Home
My day seemed to go fast. I began with my Tuesday prayer time, had a morning connection with a contractor and then my Rotary meeting, a trip back to Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital a nap and then off to a Rotary board meeting. I found myself behind on some of my intended duties, but often discover that fatigue requires a nap that can be so characteristic with Myasthenia Gravis. Today, it was good to share my book with some of our County officials and with Dr. Asadi, Medical Director at Northern Colorado Acute Hospital. He wrote a nice endorsement for my book. I also gave copy to the CEO of the Rehab Hospital.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “A road will be there and a way; it will be called the Holy Way.…the redeemed of the Lord will return and come to Zion with singing, crowned with unending joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.” Isaiah 35:8,10 HCSB
There is something about “returning home.” Perhaps it is returning home after a trip. Perhaps it is returning to a family home. I can’t imagine all the feelings and emotions, but I recall when we lived in Colby, KS being at the local armory to welcome home local troops returning from “Operation Desert Storm.” There was celebration, tears and sense of relief.
Even before God’s people are taken into exile, the prophet speaks words of hope. One day the faithful will return to the “city forgotten.” It may not be all the generation taken into exile, but it will include some of those who were children at the time of captivity that are now in their golden years who will have the opportunity to once again walk through the gates of Jerusalem. They will be “home at last.” I’m sure that during those days in Babylon some of the faithful encouraged children and grandchildren that “there is coming a day when you will go to Jerusalem. You will return to Mount Zion.”
As Isaiah describes the road or the “way” that will lead God’s people home, we see a spiritual description. This road is like a spiritual HOV lane. It is not for just for anyone and everyone, it is for God’s Holy people, the redeemed. “The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for the one who walks the path.” (Isaiah 35:8 HCSB)
When God brings His people home we see described a people who are made whole, “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy…” (Isaiah 35:5,6 HCSB)
We see described life and refreshing were there was desolation, “…for water will gush in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the parched ground will become a pool of water, and the thirsty land springs of water.“ (Isaiah 35:6,7 HCSB)
We see security and all that would harm is removed, “There will be no lion there, and no vicious beast will go up on it; they will not be found there.“ (Isaiah 35:9 HCSB) My favorite promise is, “Even the fool will not go astray.“ (Isaiah 35:8 HCSB)
Coming “home” to Zion will be marked with celebration, “…come to Zion with singing, crowned with unending joy.
Joy and gladness will overtake them…” (Isaiah 35:10 HCSB)
We see in the New Testament Paul speaks of “the heavenly Jerusalem.” (Galatians 4:26 NLT) The writer of Hebrews declares, “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly…” (Hebrews 12:22 NIV)
All that we see in Isaiah and the promised return to Jerusalem or Zion, speaks to our hearts about being away from a promised heavenly Jerusalem and eternal home. The path to that destination is for the “one who walks the path” – the path of faith in Jesus Christ.
In that heavenly city all sickness and infirmity is removed, there is no sorrow, “for He will wipes every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV) All that would harm and cause uncertainty and insecurity can not be found. It is a day of rejoicing and celebration. We are, “home at last!” As the song of old declares, “What a day that will be….!”