MAY 5

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

Acts 13:47

“For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Mark 1:14-15

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,  and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’”

Genesis 22:18

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Matthew 12:21

“And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

John 10:16

“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”

Matthew 12:18

“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.”

We have a few days left in the book   “100 NAMES OF GOD”  written by Christopher D. Hudson.  Each day we’ll take one Hebrew name for God as given in the Bible to study and relate to.  Then we’ll be changing to another book.

OR GOYIM

LIGHT OF THE NATIONS

Isaiah 42:6

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”

Every hit movie or great novel features the proverbial “plot twist.”  You’re sitting there munching on your popcorn, when suddenly the story veers off in a direction you never imagined.  You stop chewing, eyes wide.  Maybe your heart starts racing.  Characters you thought were good reveal a sinister side.  Or that shadowy figure turns out to be the hero.  This is the hallmark of great storytelling.

The plot twist in the story of the Bible is this:  the LIGHT OF ISRAEL is the LIGHT OF THE NATIONS.  Put another way, the story that begins with God choosing and saving the Hebrew people ends with God choosing and saving people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.  You can see it if you pay attention.  The history of Israel hints strongly at God’s heart for the whole world.  In fact,  the history of Israel is packed with pre-views of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of the nations as well as Israel.

Sadly, the Hebrew people often missed these clues.  They viewed Yahweh as THEIR Savior only.   As God’s covenant people, they expected to receive the promises given to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.  But non-Jews?  Not so much.  So the prophet Isaiah gave them a head-jerking surprise.  God will be OR GOYIM, “a light for the Gentiles.”  Talk about a plot twist!!!  “Isaiah, are you pulling our leg?  Gentiles are going to be part of God’s eternal family and plan?”

Yes, God promised to be a light for the Hebrews AND the Gentiles.  This is great news to all non-Jews.  When God offers salvation through Jesus Christ on the cross, He promises forgiveness of sins to all those who follow Him.  It doesn’t  matter what bloodline, what heritage, what ethnicity you have.  At the cross, all are welcome to repent and give their sins to Him, receiving His righteousness in return.

Whether you are a Jew or Gentile, is “the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ” shining in your life?  Meeting Christ is the greatest plot twist that could happen in any life.

How would your life be different if God was not willing to save people from all nations?

PRAYER

OR GOYIM, You are not simply the God of a tribe, country, or region.  You are a global, universal God.  Thank You for Your love for all peoples and all nations.  Amen

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord