Nations

Isaiah declares God's ultimate plan to redeem the nations. Sixteen, sixteen! times the redemption of the nations is mentioned. The LORD desires the nations to know His glory and to be brought to Him as the best offerering, as grain offerings were brought by the Israelites.

“And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory." Isaiah 66:18

"The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God." Isaiah 52:10

Think of it! The LORD has been and is passionate about using Israel to redeem me, here in America, thousands of years later, in a country on the other side of the globe. But that's only the beginning of it.

The LORD has been and is passionate about using Israel to redeem ALL the nations. This includes the people, at this moment, in Thailand, bowing before golden idols, the Auca people in Ecuador, the Muslims of Central Asia, the artists of Ireland, the people of Hungary, the Argentines of Buenos Aires, the people of South Korea, the Fulani people in the Chad, and the Hispanic people now living in my neighborhood here in Indiana. Someday, we will worship before God's throne together.

It was in Thailand that I first lived immersed in another nation. Somehow that experience in Khon Kaen has whetted my appetitie for nations. It was there I first realized, I crave nations. And I believe that craving is from God. God loves nations.

Now, my dear friend Julie is setting out on a journey to live in the place I have just returned from. As she prepares for her own adventure in Thailand these thoughts about nations have resurfaced. What is this life about? It's about the glory of the King of Kings, the Redeemer, Creator, and bringing all the nations to worship before Him.