Image from familyfriendlychurches.org.uk
Thus says the Lord:Maintain justice, and do what is right,for soon my salvation will come,and my deliverance be revealed. And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants,all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain,and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel,I will gather others to them besides those already gathered. (Isaiah 56:1, 6-8)
Monday's text ends with a non-Jewish woman (Foreigner) asking Jesus for her daughter's healing. Remember Jesus' response? "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The woman persisted and even countered Jesus' assertion that "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs," with "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." The prophet Isaiah had heard from God that even foreigners who join themselves to Him, to minister to Him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be His servants, who keep the sabbath without profaning it, and holding fast to the covenant, will be included now and forever. In other words, God's covenant really does not leave anyone out. Those who desire God, and follow God, will see God, no matter their race or nationality.
We even asked and answered the question, Does God ever give up on us? The answer is still no. God loves us, desires a relationship with us, and even welcomes us back when we have strayed far from where we should be. This is salvation, and it is for everyone.
PRAYER: Loving God, let me never feel apart from You. Let me know always that I belong to You and You belong to me. Let me live my life in that way that shows others that they too, can join in that relationship. Open opportunities for me to witness to Your love. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Welcome others, even "outsiders" into your world!
Eradio Valverde
