Then she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” Exodus 2:22
גָּר
ger
alien, sojourner, foreigner
living in a strange land among strange people; anyone who is not native to a given land or among a given people
As a side note:
גֵּרְשֹׁם
Gershom
a stranger there, foreigner, expulsion
Look at the two Hebrew letters of this second word on the right. Those two letters are identical to the first word (made of only those two letters). These two words are interconnected. The Israelites were bondservants in Egypt at this time. This land was not the one God had given them. Moses named his son by the experience he and Zipporah were having at that time.
As strangers in a strange land, as the King James version reads, I am feeling that today in my home country. I do not know what the future is nor will be in the United States of America nor in this world.
Yet, one thing I do know is that I am God’s and He is my Father. He is with me and asks me to trust Him. I will. I do. I am trusting Him. There are a few, maybe many, of my steps when I forget and fall into the traps of this world. I do not want that for myself nor anyone else. He will pick me up and set me aright as I stay near to Him.
May I trust in You, God of all creation, every minute of every day, and not lean on my own understanding nor that of men and women of this world. You are the One to Whom I place my trust.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:11-17
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:18-21
This World is not My Home: https://www.pinterest.com/jimmcavoy/i-am-a-citizen-of-heaven/
Black and White photo: https://terryburridge.wordpress.com/
Do Not Be Shaped… : http://www.crossmap.com/devotionals/are-you-citizen-of-earth-or-heaven-16983
Set Your Mind… : https://www.pinterest.com/pin/238127899019893582/
Sun shining through… I added words): http://www.rarewallpapers.com/sun-shining-through-the-clouds.html
Passport Clipart: http://canada.um.dk/en/
Being Woven 
Amen and Amen. He is our home. Holding onto Him with you, friend! You are appreciated ♥
Hugs,
Lori
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I always appreciate your in depth posts, Linda. This speaks to me today and calms my heart through the Word of God. Thank you, friend. Bless you!
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I know so little about the Hebrew language so I’m glad to always learn something new here, Linda. Such secrets are hidden in plain sight to those who know what they’re reading!
I pray this prayer with you, friend: “May I trust in You, God of all creation, every minute of every day, and not lean on my own understanding nor that of men and women of this world. You are the One to Whom I place my trust.”
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I love how appropriate that first photo is for this article.
Yeah, we’re all just passing by this earth. But what a great journey it is, right? Lots of good friends and memorable experience. See you in heaven!
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Amen Linda! Love this.. Such a powerful reminder of His love today, of His truth and of our heritage and true destination. Thank you!
Love,
Dawn
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“Yet, one thing I do know is that I am God’s and He is my Father.” That truth is such a beautiful remedy for whatever ails us. Beautiful encouragement here today, Linda.
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I’m teaching in I Peter right now, and being encouraged to identify with those aliens who — amazing but true! — are recipients of an inheritance, more precious than gold which perishes. Thanks for bringing all this to mind with your careful scholarship and lovely images.
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Thanks for all the great verses, Linda! I can’t wait ’til we see Jesus face to face!
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Beautiful! All of it – from the words to the graphics to the prayer!
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I am so thankful that this life here on earth is only temporary. Have a blessed and beautiful week.
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So good to put this life in perspective—it IS temporary, and we have so much to look forward to in eternity! God is in control, and we rest in that beautiful truth! Thanks for sharing. Your neighbour at #MomentsofHope 🙂
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You hit the nail on the head. We are citizens of heaven and we are called to reflect Christ not be of this world. I was just reading 1 Peter and Colossians 3 about this very topic! Excellent post!
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Linda, that’s interesting about those hebrew words. 🙂 Haven’t seen you in a while. Hope you’re doing well. 🙂 ((grace))
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Beautiful words with beautiful photos again! Thank you for the reminder that Heaven is our truest Home of all. Every home we have here is but one more step closer to the Home we were created for! Thanks for the amazing word studies that you share here; I am always so blessed!
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I think for too many years we have been too comfortable in this world. We have been quick to forget that this world is not supposed to be our final home, that we are just passing through as pilgrims. I think that the degree of our shock over changes in our world may be in direct proportion with the degree of comfort we have heretofore found in this world that we should have been finding in God.
Maybe He is giving us a wake-up call.
He is my dwelling place. He is my Peace.
I love your photos and the Scriptures that you have shared here. Thanks so much.
And I did not know that Gershom meant “a stranger there”. I like learning what names mean.
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Yes, Ruth…you share wonderful truth in your comment. I do agree with you about the degree of our comfort level and how it affects the way we are or are not seeking God. I believe we do and did need a wakeup call…I just don’t like it very much yet want to draw closer and closer to my Creator. Praising God for His Omniscience.
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Hi, Linda! Coming back for a visit from Tell His Story!
I just prayed your prayer in agreement with you. Taking everything to God in prayer and leaving it in His control, trusting Him to be Faithful to His promises helps me have peace in this world of tribulation. I’m sure you’ve discovered this as well. I am abiding in Him, as much as possible, under the shadow of His wings, and I am safe no matter what kind of storm is happening outside.
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Yes, we have the faithfulness and security of knowing that God is in control of all things and we can trust Him with our every day and our futures! Thank you for these encouraging words! Happy Friday to you! (Your neighbor at FMF)
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Linda, we so need to keep reminding ourselves of this. We truly were not meant to feel comfortable in this world. Our discomfort serves as the constant reminder that we are sojourners passing through to our true home. Grateful to stop here today!
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Great post and great reminder, especially in times of suffering 🙂
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❤ ❤
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