Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 56Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Verse 6And 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- Verse 7these 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. Verse 8Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.
Devotion
Do what is right. Do what is right.
I often find myself in sticky situations wondering what is the “right” thing to do. I want others to know that Jesus loves them, so I convince myself that if I can do the right thing – the just thing, the gracious thing – others will see the gospel at work.
Sometimes that happens, which is probably why the temptation is so strong to keep trying. Other times, I try to do what is right and it doesn’t work. Someone is hurt, or forgotten or overlooked – or I was completely wrong! What is left to do?
When I crash and burn, all I can do is offer these burnt offerings to Jesus.
It doesn’t seem like a fair exchange – my failures for his grace, my ideas of what’s right for his righteousness. But that’s the plan. That’s the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I offer you my failures today, trusting that your righteousness is enough. Amen.