"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.
The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him."
Isaiah 56:7-8
This chapter starts out by talking about "the son of the stranger" and "the eunuch" (verse 3) and how God accepts *all* who come unto him and follow his commandments, and will reward them abundantly, and make up for anything they missed out on in their lives.
Those examples even now are representatives of groups that are often shunned: foreigners, refugees, immigrants, and those who have sexual differences, impediments, or proclivities that are different from our own. Here, God makes it clear that everyone is welcome in his house. And it is way beyond just those example groups as well. I love how it says that he gathers the outcasts, and will keep gathering more... it seems like God wants to gather everyone, everywhere, that is left out.
I think this is an important message to all of us whether we currently feel left out or not. God isn't about these divisions and biases and intolerances that we see in our society. He isn't teaching hate or standing behind it. He teaches love and acceptance and unity. Today, let's work on being the best people that we can possibly be and reaching towards God, and let's bend over backwards to be kind and good to others who are on the same journey. And, you know, let's still do that even if they aren't. Loving our neighbors isn't limited to only the ones we think are golden. :)
The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him."
Isaiah 56:7-8
This chapter starts out by talking about "the son of the stranger" and "the eunuch" (verse 3) and how God accepts *all* who come unto him and follow his commandments, and will reward them abundantly, and make up for anything they missed out on in their lives.
Those examples even now are representatives of groups that are often shunned: foreigners, refugees, immigrants, and those who have sexual differences, impediments, or proclivities that are different from our own. Here, God makes it clear that everyone is welcome in his house. And it is way beyond just those example groups as well. I love how it says that he gathers the outcasts, and will keep gathering more... it seems like God wants to gather everyone, everywhere, that is left out.
I think this is an important message to all of us whether we currently feel left out or not. God isn't about these divisions and biases and intolerances that we see in our society. He isn't teaching hate or standing behind it. He teaches love and acceptance and unity. Today, let's work on being the best people that we can possibly be and reaching towards God, and let's bend over backwards to be kind and good to others who are on the same journey. And, you know, let's still do that even if they aren't. Loving our neighbors isn't limited to only the ones we think are golden. :)
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