I came across this passage this morning and love it:
“He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar,
And will whistle to them from the end of the earth;
Surely they shall come with speed, swiftly.
No one will be weary or stumble among them,
No one will slumber or sleep;
Nor will the belt on their loins be loosed, Nor the strap of their sandals be broken.” (Isa. 5:26-27 NKJV)
What a picture! Here is God, who in previous verses excoriates those who out of greed acquire more land and houses than they need or can even use…warning those who in their partying have long forgotten Him….who call out to God not in need but as if He is their servant (“Let Him make speed and hasten His work, that we may see it,” v 19). But now God lifts up this huge banner of mercy, and He whistles to the nations! “Y’all come! From the ends of the earth…you, steeped in strange religions, bowing to gods of your own craftsmanship, come to the living God. You who are humble, seek me, and you will find me.”
And they come! They run, “with speed, swiftly.” They don’t dawdle, but like the disciples, they leave what it is they have been so focused on, and they pursue the master. They don’t trip along the way, don’t sleep in for that extra hour. No, they strap their sandles tightly, gather up the loose ends of their garments, and RUN!
God is a gathering God. Ever looking into the future, He desires to restore fellowship, reunite His peoples…to each other, to Himself. I love this picture. I see it in Jesus, who said, “Come, follow Me.” Leave what you’re so preoccupied with, and come be with me.
Lord, sound out with your liberating whistle, and let the nations run to you. And God, let me be a part of making that sound. Give me the privilege of being a small part of the nations coming back to you.
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