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Daily Devotion: Isaiah 56:6-8

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Isaiah 56:6-8      "Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;  (7)  Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.  (8)  The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him."

We have such a wonderful promise that is given in these verses to the child of God who commits himself unto the things of the Lord.  So, I ask myself this morning certain questions concerning this promise.  Do I get joy from serving the Lord? Do I truly love the name of the Lord, or is it just a "run to" place when I get in trouble? Do I "keep the sabbath"; that is, do I separate myself from the cares of the world in order to find rest in the Lord?  Have I truly taken hold of His covenant to realize and experience the love of God that is so deep that He GAVE His only begotten Son for me? It is in committing myself to these things that I experience the blessing of being lifted above the things of life that would weigh me down.  God's promise is to bring us to His holy mountain which is representative of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. As He lifts us up, we find that true joy that can only come from the Lord.  

Why is it that great joy is experienced even on days that are set aside for the people to come together and have a work day at the church? Why is there gladness in God's House? Why would David say, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of the Lord"?  For me, there is sweet fellowship when God's people come together to honor the Lord in worship, praise, and yes even in times of keeping house for the Lord. There is something to be found there that cannot be experienced anywhere else. It is in that moment that we are "gathered to the Lord" and experiencing the sweet fellowship with God.  It is in the "house of prayer" that we can know that our Lord is meeting with us. "Where two or three are gathered together, there I will be in the midst of them." What a sweet promise that is given to us!  The Lord willing, we will come back to that thought tomorrow concerning the "house of prayer".  But for now, I want to think upon the blessedness of joining myself to the Lord in service and praise. I want to think about my love for Him and taking hold of His covenant with me.

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