Weekly Devotional

SENT INTO A MISSION

“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.”  (Isaiah 56:7)
And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”  (Mark 11:17)
    While attending seminary about ten years ago, one of my favorite professors began teaching us that it was always God’s intention that His chosen people would be on a mission.  This is the theme of our video in worship today by Ray Vander Laan called, “Israel on Mission: Abraham, Sarah, and the Three Strangers.”  My professor helped us to see that it wasn’t just for their own good that the descendants of Abraham were called, but that they would make God known to the whole world.  When you look at the Bible that way you see…
God called his people out of Egypt, not just to escape slavery, but to be free to serve Him.
God gave Israel the law and called them to be holy, not only for their own good, but that they might be set apart as a priesthood for all the nations.  
God established his people in the promised land, a rich land flowing with milk and honey, not just for their own pleasure but for the purpose of having extra resources for mission.
God gave David and Solomon great favor, wisdom, and resources, so that his Holy Temple would be prepared as the rallying point for all who would seek to discover God.
God allowed his people to be exiled so that they would carry His message to the world.
God sent Jesus to redeem Israel from sin, not just for their own sake, but to renew their calling.
God invited Gentiles to join Jews in the new Israel, and to also be sent on mission.
God allowed the church to be persecuted, again forcing them to carry His message to the world.

    Nevertheless, we still face the same temptations as Israel did in the Old Testament.  We are tempted to keep our faith to ourselves, and to spend our lives focusing on our own comfort and personal achievements.  We are glad we are called by God and can enjoy peace and forgiveness and the hope of heaven, but we aren’t terribly concerned about others receiving the same benefits.  In fact, we look down on them for not figuring life and faith out, forgetting that it was God who pulled us out of the miry pit and gave us understanding and hope.  
    But here is the point: He saved us for a reason, and we must spend our lives discovering our calling and living it out, and each person’s calling will include being sent on a mission in some way.  What is your calling?  Why did God choose you?  Where are you being sent on a mission?
-Cory