Isaiah 56:1-8 (NIV)
1 This is what the LORD says:
“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
3 Let 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.”
4 For this is what the LORD says:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—
5 to 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.
6 And 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—
7 these 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.”
8 The Sovereign LORD declares—
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
besides those already gathered.”
Reflection:
When you strip away all of the rules and regulations, the Sabbath is about a love story between a merciful God and a desperate humanity in need of salvation. It boils down to a celebratory expression of worship, loyalty and obedience to God who is utterly faithful to His people. As a call and response to live righteously, the Lord blesses and rewards those who hold fast to His promises, bind themselves to His way, and minister as His servants. And we are his people, the ones who are truly blessed by God. We have been given a name better than sons and daughters, an everlasting name that will endure forever. He brought us into His presence and gave us joy in His house of prayer. And in faith and obedience, we are being built up as a house of prayer for all nations to come, join in and celebrate together in His salvation and restoration.
Response:
Because God’s salvation has come in Jesus Christ, we can celebrate in God’s true salvation rest. Let’s thank God for our salvation and our lives in Him. Let’s pray that we will continue to hold fast and bind ourselves to Him. Let’s also pray for those we know who have yet to experience this true rest, asking God to empower us to minister to them.
