July 16
Isaiah 18:1-23:18
It is easy to misunderstand the Old Testament as God's focus on Israel to the neglect of the nations. Though much of the attention of the Hebrews Scriptures is on God working through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, God's heart has always been for the whole world. His desire was for Israel to be a light for the nations that would draw them into a relationship with him. We can see that heart clearly in Isaiah 18. This chapter speaks of Ethiopia bringing gifts to God in Jerusalem. Then in Isaiah 19:24 God says, “Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth.” As Abraham was promised his descendants would be a blessing to the world, so now all believers, regardless of ethnicity, will be a blessing to the Earth. Further, he calls “Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”
God's longing is for all nations in history and all countries today to respond in faith to him and become a blessing to the world. He wants all his creation to respond to him in worship, praise, and faith. So, praise him, while also sharing his love with everyone. God longs for every tribe, nation, language, ethnicity, and people group to be worshiping him, so let us share his love with all we can.
Father God, thank you for including me in your family. Thank you that your heart is for all people and all nations; help me to have your heart for the world. Send me out today to be a disciple who makes disciples. Amen.
How can you have God's heart for the whole world today?
It is easy to misunderstand the Old Testament as God's focus on Israel to the neglect of the nations. Though much of the attention of the Hebrews Scriptures is on God working through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, God's heart has always been for the whole world. His desire was for Israel to be a light for the nations that would draw them into a relationship with him. We can see that heart clearly in Isaiah 18. This chapter speaks of Ethiopia bringing gifts to God in Jerusalem. Then in Isaiah 19:24 God says, “Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth.” As Abraham was promised his descendants would be a blessing to the world, so now all believers, regardless of ethnicity, will be a blessing to the Earth. Further, he calls “Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”
God's longing is for all nations in history and all countries today to respond in faith to him and become a blessing to the world. He wants all his creation to respond to him in worship, praise, and faith. So, praise him, while also sharing his love with everyone. God longs for every tribe, nation, language, ethnicity, and people group to be worshiping him, so let us share his love with all we can.
Father God, thank you for including me in your family. Thank you that your heart is for all people and all nations; help me to have your heart for the world. Send me out today to be a disciple who makes disciples. Amen.
How can you have God's heart for the whole world today?
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