Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah. Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.
Isaiah 56.
God calls us by name. He calls us to do what is right. There is joy for all who worship and pray. Whether we are “insiders” or “outsiders.” I’m thankful that every single one of us is adored by Him… especially when we take time to reach out to Him and pray. There is joy in the house of prayer. Let’s look at this full block of text:
God ’s Message: “Guard my common good: Do what’s right and do it in the right way, For salvation is just around the corner, my setting-things-right is about to go into action. How blessed are you who enter into these things, you men and women who embrace them, Who keep Sabbath and don’t defile it, who watch your step and don’t do anything evil! Make sure no outsider who now follows God ever has occasion to say, ‘God put me in second-class. I don’t really belong.’ And make sure no physically mutilated person is ever made to think, ‘I’m damaged goods. I don’t really belong.’”
For God says: “To the mutilated who keep my Sabbaths and choose what delights me and keep a firm grip on my covenant, I’ll provide them an honored place in my family and within my city, even more honored than that of sons and daughters. I’ll confer permanent honors on them that will never be revoked.
“And as for the outsiders who now follow me, working for me, loving my name, and wanting to be my servants— All who keep Sabbath and don’t defile it, holding fast to my covenant— I’ll bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. They’ll be welcome to worship the same as the ‘insiders,’ to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to my altar. Oh yes, my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people.” The Decree of the Master, God himself, who gathers in the exiles of Israel: “I will gather others also, gather them in with those already gathered.” (v1-8, MSG).
We all belong to God. No matter if our bodies work completely the way God created us to be. No matter if we are in the family tree or outside of it. Jews or Gentiles. If we acknowledge His covenant, believe in His plan of salvation, pray. We belong to Him.
In the New Testament, Paul, who had obviously studied the prophet Isaiah and actually quoted from these writings regularly, says it this way:
“So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you if you truly believe this and tell it to others. The Scriptures say that no one who has faith will be disappointed, no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. All who call out to the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-13, CEV).
His saving grace is for everyone. We belong to God. He is our Father. We are His children. Ask for His help. He is generous. No one who has faith will be disappointed. There is joy for all who worship Him and only Him.
If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.
(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.
RichRonald.com 