READING: Isaiah 18-22
“The Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing. Then they will turn to the Lord
and he will be receptive to their prayers and heal them.”
Isaiah 19:22
Frankly, I don’t often think of Egypt as a bastion of Christianity. I know there are believers there, but I would typically equate that country with another world faith rather than Christianity. The day will come, however, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, when even Egypt will follow the Lord: “The Lord will make himself known to Egypt, and Egypt will know the Lord on that day. They will offer sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and fulfill them” (Isa. 19:21). God will in that day even know them as “Egypt my people” (Isa. 19:25).
This time will occur “in that day” – a phrase occurring five times in Isaiah 19 to speak of the eventual rule of the Messiah. The very nation whose heart had been hardened against God centuries before will be among those who worship Him as Lord.
When I read texts like these, I am reminded again of the excitement of doing the work of missions. We are to proclaim the good news to all the nations, but it is God who draws those nations to Himself. He may choose to do so through judgment that first strikes with fear and then brings to repentance, but He does so because He loves the world. His name is most glorified when those from every nation, tribe, and tongue lift His praises high – and we can trust that He will use our preaching of the Word to accomplish that plan in His timing and according to His plan.
ACTION STEPS:
- Pick two nations, and pray they will turn to the Lord.
- Thank the Lord for making Himself known to the peoples of the world.
PRAYER: “I praise You, Lord, for making Yourself known to me and others. Use me to keep proclaiming Your name.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 23-26
