2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1-3; WE’RE GOING HOME! Don’t know you those were the words spoken time after time after time by the children of Israel help in captivity in Babylon. They were finally going home and God had worked a miracle in the heart of the king. He was giving them the opportunity to return. All they had to do was pack their bags and return. He also gave them the mandate to rebuild of all things, The Temple! The very place they had met God. Ezra and other leaders were getting the plans together and soon they would be HOME!
I can’t imagine how excited those weary captives must have been but can’t you just hear the excitement in their voices? Can you imagine the river of tears they must have shed as they placed belongings on mule back or on camels and joined the caravan going back to Jerusalem. Can you also imagine the tears as they topped the last mountain and saw their beloved homeland in shambles. Walls were broken down, fields were over grown and signs of life were few and far between. Yet they were going home and they would rebuild.
Can you imagine the shouts of joy as the cornerstone was once again laid to the temple? There was much work to do, but they were finally back and little by little they would rebuild.
This is the story of many today. They have found themselves captive to sin, addiction, ungodly lifestyles, and yet God offers them a chance to come HOME! Sure there may be ruins to rebuild. There are relationships to mend and heal, but The King offers opportunity to come back into right relationship with Him. Oh my friend, don’t delay. There are many of us here waiting for you to come back. Yes much may have changed, but it is time to write a new story. The old is past, behold there are many great things in the new that is head. I invite you Christian brothers and sisters to welcome those who have been far away back into the family fold as well. It is never too late for the captive to return HOME!