Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

12 June 2024

Reading From I Kings 8, II Chronicles 5

“In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name.”

–I Kings 8:41-43

     In the Old Covenant, Israel was meant to be a beacon of light and truth to the surrounding nations of the ancient world.  Indeed there were many instances recorded in the Scriptures of those who were not ethnic Hebrews choosing to follow Yahweh. The Mosaic Law made provision for welcoming strangers into the fold. 

In the New Covenant, however, all those belonging to the House of the Lord by grace through faith in Jesus are called to carry His love and message to those in our local communities, to others who are not like us and to the uttermost parts of the entire Earth.  God wants every human to know Him and benefit from a life-giving relationship with Him.  This is for His glory and our good. 

“Lord, thank You for Your desire to see everyone ransomed from the kingdom of darkness and brought into Your Kingdom of Life.  Continue to empower Your people by Your Spirit to do Your work in sharing Your love and advancing Your Kingdom.  In the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.”

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 –Matthew 5:14-16

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 –Matthew 28:16-20

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

 –Acts 1:8