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O Day of Rest and Gladness ~ Hymn 393

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: March 28, 2020

Category: Daily Devotional

Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Isaiah 66:23

“From new moon to new moon, and from sabbath to sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me,” says the Lord.

Two days of the church year, we find a considerable increase in attendance. One of those days, Christmas Eve, is when a mound of red flowers, poinsettias, graces the chancel and windows of the church. The second day is Easter, when a mound of white flowers, lilies, graces the chancel and the windows of the church. It is thrilling to look out and see the church filled with worshipers and even more exciting when extra chairs are brought to accommodate the crowd.

On ordinary Sundays and other special services, we have many vacant pews. Isaiah the prophet speaks of a time to come from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath when all flesh shall come to worship before the Lord. At that time there would be standing room only. They would not come just for the special worship services. We would come eager and excited to be in God’s presence and to offer God our tributes of praise and thanks.

Prayer

Lord of the Sabbath, we thank You for a day of rest and gladness. We thank You that we, Your people can assemble to worship … to offer our praise and our prayers. We thank You that we can listen to and for Your Word. We thank You that we can present our gifts and receive Yours through the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. We look forward to the time when all flesh will be excited to worship You. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.