I started writing the “Heaven” posts on my previous blog in December of 2011. My goal was to look at every verse in the Bible that used the word Heaven and to bring forth a commentary on the place where God’s throne resides. In the last two years we have made much of Heaven together, dear readers. I have to admit it is not just Heaven I understand a bit better through these meditations but the God of Heaven as well. If you would like to read past “Heaven” posts you can find them here http://wp.me/P39vIx-fv.
Now here is today’s post:
but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens,yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name Neh. 1:9
This verse puts me in mind of another from the Book of Psalms 139:7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
God sees us right where we are. We can fool others. We can sometimes even fool ourselves about how life is going, but we never fool God. We also cannot move so far away from Him that we are beyond His ability to restore us. God is able to forgive the most heinous sin. God is able to restore the most broken life. All He needs is permission from a heart that longs for restoration enough to leave its evil and brokenness behind.
Let’s pray: Dear Lord Jesus, Today I long for restoration in every area of my life. Today I give you all the hidden places of my life… those I have hidden from others even those I may have tried to hide from myself. Come Lord Jesus restore me as I leave all evil and brokenness behind in exchange for your healing and restoration. Amen!
Lillie-Put 
I am grateful that God knows exactly what I need when I need it and I definitely needed this prayer today. Thanks, Pastor J for being such a faithful servant to our Lord.
Thank you for this encouraging word Deb! I needed it today!
Thank you! I have a lot of catching up to do. I am planning to retreat into your Heaven and Acts soon. Thank you for the sharing of your studies! Blessings!
I know a bit about what it is to be behind. I am trying to read at least ten blogs a day and the work of ministry has kept me so distant from the computer these last few days I haven;t read nary a one. I am gald I was able to at least post a few days ahead before the tsunami hit. 🙂 I am looking forward to your answers Tom.
This made me think of a conversation with someone who wondered if people in heaven could see what happens here. His main thought was that he wouldn’t want to think his mother could see him! How much more important – and life changing – to KNOW that the omnipotent God can and does see all: even our thoughts and motives! We cannot hide anything from Him!
Thankfully, He views His blood-bought, adopted children through the righteousness of Christ and His love, mercy and forgiveness are always extended, along with His grace to enable us to live victoriously as we submit to Him.
Amen. The thought that Jesus watches me everyday and listens to my every word is indeed a sobering thought I try to keep foremost in my mind as I walk through life.