7-Aug-14

See, a king will reign in righteousness
and rulers will rule with justice.
Each one will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen. Isaiah 32:1-3What is it about us, that we need a get-a-way, a shelter, that we want to protect ourselves from danger and unpleasantness?  We are fearful for our lives and for our comfort.  A scraped knee sends us into spasms of hurting – pride, physical, and the ‘why me’ – it’s not fair!We protect ourselves from every source of pain.  Especially that last illness that leads to death.  It is most concerning to us, for we leave our world cocoon of uncertainty for the glorious-ness of an everlasting shelter that gives joy forever.  It is when we weigh our world which will come to an end with ten thousand and a forever with the One who created us, there is no doubt in our minds.  The grand adventure is at hand.When Mom exclaimed, “Now I know my Exit Lane!”, I wondered.  Through four years she suffered with pulmonary fibrosis, her ‘Exit Lane’.  Her breath came slower and slower.  I watched her Enter into the Adventure when her life would truly begin! She found her Shelter.  No Storm would threaten her ever again.  That Exit Lane leads to a Grand Entrance.When travel slows with age and pain, an exit lane shall take me home, through evening gloam, where gathered saints and angels sing and gold harps ring in Paradise beyond blue skies.  Though things of earth may disappear I will not fear that final breath to walk through death.  (ADS)Dear Lord,  I pray that you give me the strength of faith to hold on to your promise.  I pray that I hold on to the trust I have in you, that You will deliver me Home, and I will meet all my loved ones there.  In Jesus Name, Amen, Amen and Amen!