2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Monday, August 10
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
1 Thus says the Lord:
Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come
and my deliverance be revealed.
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.
“… 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, …”
In an era when foreigners are seen has threats to society and culture, Isaiah’s words offer a stark contrast. Typically, the people of Israel held themselves to a standard based on Hebrew blood line. However, the prophet proclaims a new revelation. All who join themselves to the Lord, who love the Lord, obey the commandments of the Lord, and seek to the Lord are welcome into the community of faith. No longer does Jewish ancestry exclude others. Now, according to the prophet, all are welcome at the Lord’s table.
Paul will argue the same criteria for the Gentiles of his time. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ whether Jew or Gentile are welcomed into the community of faith. No one is excluded based on ancestry or bloodline. No one is excluded because of gender or occupation. No one is excluded because of social status or ethnicity. All are welcome.
Would that we, both as a Church following the Word of the Lord, and as a nation seeking to model our life and culture on both Old and New Testament teachings, live according to this revelation. Would that we welcome the stranger, the foreigner, the outcast, and the marginalized as Isaiah and Paul and even Jesus proclaimed. Would that we made all people welcome.
Prayer: Lord, you call us to welcome the stranger and foreigner. Make me an instrument of Your divine call. Amen.