Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
⁷ All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
    the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
    and I will adorn my glorious temple. Isaiah 60:6-7 NIV

What a sight? Herds of camels everywhere and from everywhere, loaded down with treasures from those proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Camels from places where the inhabitants lived in tents. Camels that bring gifts from people who made their living by plundering, trading, and the keeping of flocks.

Kedar and Nebaioth were descendants of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). Ishmael was a half brother to Issac. The descendants of Ismael and the descendants of Issac, both children of Abraham, contribute to the dissension in the Middle East today.  They don’t get along.

Imagine that the gifts of those whom you don’t get along, those with whom you do not relate, will be accepted as offerings on God’s altar. They will adorn God’s temple. 

God’s  temple, God’s house, no longer built with stones but with you and I (Ephesians 2:19-22), adorned by gifts brought by those proclaiming the praise of the Lord.  Gifts accepted as offerings on God’s altar.

As we arise, shine and bring light to the darkness, we are not alone. Others close by and others far away will also arise and shine. Some closer than a brother and sister and others with whom we have not even related will rise and shine. And we will be God’s dwelling place

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:2-6 NIV

As children of God we do not have to pray the same way, sing the same, preach the same or serve the same. As long as we are proclaiming the praise of the Lord, our gifts will be accepted. 

Why then do we look down on other children of God?  Why do we seek to point out our differences? Do we not realize that we as “living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”?

As we proclaim the praises of the Lord, let us seek the unity among His children.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us that is no respecter of person but accepts all and blesses those who are committed followers of Your Son, Jesus.  Help us to rejoice as we witness your children from different congregations worship You with their gifts. Let your love abound in us as we proclaim your praises.

Make Us One Click on the link to pray in song.