The Exiles Will Return

The Sovereignty of God
The Sovereignty of God

Foundations of the Earth

Isaiah 60:1-7 The Message

People Returning for the Reunion

60 ^1-7 “Get out of bed, Jerusalem!
    Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight.
    God’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,
    all people sunk in deep darkness,
But God rises on you,
    his sunrise glory breaks over you.
Nations will come to your light,
    kings to your sunburst brightness.
Look up! Look around!
    Watch as they gather, watch as they approach you:
Your sons coming from great distances,
    your daughters carried by their nannies.
When you see them coming you’ll smile—big smiles!
    Your heart will swell and, yes, burst!
All those people returning by sea for the reunion,
    a rich harvest of exiles gathered in from the nations!
And then streams of camel caravans as far as the eye can see,
    young camels of nomads in Midian and Ephah,
Pouring in from the south from Sheba,
    loaded with gold and frankincense,
    preaching the praises of God.
And yes, a great roundup
    of flocks from the nomads in Kedar and Nebaioth,
Welcome gifts for worship at my altar
    as I bathe my glorious Temple in splendor.

 

For Reflection

Conducting our life in ways that are predominately influenced by the common culture in which we live is very much like living in exile.  God made us in God's likeness.  Our natural state is not dominated by selfish desires, ambitions to become powerful, or ruthlessness.  Our natural state is to be loving, compassionate, just and forgiving beings as full of grace as God.  Responding the the living God  who resides within you is your ticked to burst out of exile and into a rich life as a child of God.  Who you are in the common culture is so much less than who you could be in the Kingdom of God.

Pray

that you will respond to God's call for reconciliation.  Pray that you will allow yourself to be filled with the glory of God.  Pray that you will always "bathe in the glorious temple.":