Coming Home

Jeremiah 40.11 Also when all the Jews in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan;
12 even all the Jews returned out of all places where they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits in abundance.
What a sweet relief it was to read these words. In the previous chapters Jeremiah had been imprisoned, the king captured, his sons slain, and Jerusalem burned. Very depressing. Everyone was killed, except for the very poorest of people.
They were given vineyards and other rewards. I guess for just being poor. But a remnant was left, and the land could rest for the next 70 years.
And then these verses. All the Jews returned from all the places they had been driven. It feels like a gentle rain. Sweet relief. A cool glass of water.
Coming home. A place of safety, security, and rest. No more fear. No more worry. No more hatred.
I guess it will be like this when we enter the Lord's presence. No more worrying what the surrounding culture thinks. No more worrying about whether I can do this or that on the job. Or what this new law is going to mean for my children. Relief from the stress we daily live under.
Kinda makes you homesick, doesn't it.