Today's Reading:O.T. - Isaiah 19 - 21
N.T. - 2 Cor. 5:11-21
Focus Verses: Isaiah 19:21-22, 25
21So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. 22The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. - - - 25The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
Insight:
In today's reading, the prophet Isaiah turns his words of judgment toward Egypt, Cush, Babylon, Edom, and Arabia. Once again, there are also promises of redemption and renewal, and the promises may have been more shocking to his listeners than the judgments. Isaiah declared that God would strike these nations, but that God would also heal them. God, Isaiah says, will be responsive to the pleas of those who cry out to him. He will bless them and even call them "His people."
Response and Action:
Just think of a world where Israel lived in peace with the surrounding nations. How amazing it would be if all nations could see their need for God and cry out to him! Imagine how different life would be if people could comprehend God redeeming and blessing their enemies instead of just destroying them.
God is more than a judge. He is a savior. No single people group or nation has an exclusive claim to being called "God's people." God is willing to adopt and give his name to anyone who turns to him in faith. I will pray for my enemies, ask God to redeem and heal all who cry out to him, and prepare my heart and mind to accept them as friends and brothers.
O God, thank you for your grace and mercy toward humanity. Forgive us for being more interested in seeing our enemies punished than in seeing them healed and transformed. O Lord, reconcile all people to you and as we are reconciled to you, give us the grace and hearts to be reconciled to each other. Thank you for the hope we have in you, that conflict and discord can be overcome by love and goodwill. Amen.
Proverbs: 15:11
"Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!"
Resources:
Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace
by Miroslav Volf
