"Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord."
Isaiah 52:11
God is forever calling His people out from where they are. He called Jacob and his sons out of Canaan to Egypt to shelter them there from the increasing wickedness and perversion of the Amorites, for four hundred years. Then He called Israel out of slavery in Egypt. While they were living in the Promised Land, He repeatedly called them out of sin to serve Him and when they no longer responded to that call He called the remnant out of Judah to Babylon, where He could get their attention. After seventy years, He called them out of Babylon to return to Israel and be His people there once again. That’s where this verse comes in: God calling the restored and faithful remnant to return to the Promised Land and be His people.
In the New Testament, the Greek word ekklesia, which is translated “church,” means, “the assembly of the called-out-ones.” Today God is calling you and me out of the world to be His people. We are called to start our pilgrimage to the Promised Land of Heaven, and on the way to not take anything unclean with us. We are called to leave the world’s sinful habits and attitudes and all its trappings behind us to follow Jesus.
“Purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.“
Lord Jesus, You have graciously called me to leave it all, take up my cross and follow You. Make me a pure vessel to carry the treasure of Your Word in my heart and heed your upward call. Cleanse me from hidden faults and secret sins. Keep me close to You as I walk this road. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles
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