by Pastor Chris Wall as printed in the Covenant Home Altar the week of August 27th
ISAIAH 56:1, 6-8
As we conclude this week’s experiment of reading Scripture with our hearts, we come to a text full of potential emotions. Perhaps you remember the childhood trial of picking teams for kickball. It was always an emotional rollercoaster for me, even though the results were almost always the same. Not being very athletic in my youth, I can still feel the waves of disappointment and feelings of inadequacy as all the other kids were picked first. Somehow, though, even when I was in the final few draft rounds, I remember the thrill of hearing my name called. I got picked!
Isaiah 56:1
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
The Covenant Extended to All Who Obey
56 Thus says the Lord:
Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come,
and my deliverance be revealed.
Isaiah 56:6-8
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
6 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—
7 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.
8 Thus says the Lord God,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.[a]
Our text from Isaiah carries a similar emotional rollercoaster. God has made and kept his covenant with Israel, but what about other nations? What about Gentiles who love the Lord? Here God makes a dramatic choice. “I choose you!” he says. How does your heart respond as God looks at you and chooses you? God picks you to be on his team, a part of his people. Amazing!
God in heaven, thank you for picking me, for choosing us as your people. Enable us to live today worthy of it. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS