Isaiah 56:3-8 3Let no foreigner who is bound to the LORD say, “The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” 4For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—5to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. 6And foreigners who bind 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 without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—7these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8The Sovereign LORD declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”
On a recent vacation to Nova Scotia, what a thrill to stay with hosts who went “above and beyond” to welcome my family. One of our hosts went so far as to research our local cuisine and provide a breakfast of huevos rancheros (eggs with homemade salsa) to make us feel “at home in a foreign country.”
This weekend our next three texts will focus on the fact that we are all foreigners or aliens in need of God’s gracious gift of salvation offered to all. On a world-wide level, our text explains that God’s House is a house of prayer “for all nations.” All who serve, love, worship, and keep His commands are welcome in His House. Take time to pray for those in our denomination who are actively serving in foreign missions.
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
Help us to choose what pleases You. May all that we think, all that we say, all that we do be something that brings honor and glory to You. Thank you for the privilege for coming to you in prayer.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion ALIENS Part One - All Nations was originally written for Friday, March 26, 2010; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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