Call to Worship

And on that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out of the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Isaiah 27: 13 NRSV

Just as yesterday's devotional focused on God's impending destruction, so today's verse focuses on God's restoration.

When the great trumpet is blown, it is not a sign of doom but a call for everyone to come and worship God on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. This verse is about a call to worship.

It is funny how calls to worship have changed. Today, in many of our churches, we have learned to gather for worship when the live music begins, whether from the organ or the guitars. In the middle ages, the call to worship was the ringing of the bell or bells from the church tower. In the time of Isaiah, the blowing of the trumpet seems to signify the call to worship.

The really interesting part is that this trumpet call to worship is not literal as much as it is figurative. God is not literally going to blow a trumpet in Jerusalem and expect everyone in exile in Assyria and Egypt to come running. However, God will do something that will free all those in captivity and draw them to worship God in Jerusalem.

What has God done in your life that has called you close to God's side? Or perhaps you are waiting for a sign or signal from God to come closer. What do you expect God to do to call you to truly worship?

God, you call us to worship you. Sometimes we either don't hear or don't recognize your call. Be patient with us, God. Some of us are coming from a long way off. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims