They will come

Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.

In my personal devotions the last few days, I’ve found myself reminded of the song ‘They Shall Come From The East’, and this in turn has reminded me just how all encompassing God’s love for us is. He loves every single one of us, regardless of our background, what we’ve said or done in the past, where we live, what we look like, etc…in other words he wants every one of us to accept Him into our lives, to put our past behind us, and look forward to a future with Him.

People will come from the east, west, north, and south. They will sit down at the table in God’s kingdom.

Luke 13:29 (Easy-to-read version)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see people coming to God from every part of the world? Imagine if each person reading this came to God, and they then encouraged a family member or friend to do the same, so they too can come into a relationship with God.

Maybe that’s the challenge we should each take for today, to not only rededicate our own lives to God, but to also encourage someone else to come to God.

They shall come from the east,
They shall come from the west.
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Both the rich and the poor, the despised, the distressed,
They'll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
And none will ask what they have been
Provided that their robes are clean;
They shall come from the east,
They shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
 
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
To be met by their Father and welcomed and blessed,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
The black, the white, the dark, the fair,
Your colour will not matter there;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
 
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Out of great tribulation to triumph and rest
They'll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
From every tribe and every race,
All men as brothers shall embrace;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west.
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.

Here’s a recording made by the 15 staff and territorial bands of the Salvation Army during lockdown. They unite to play Kevin Larsson’s ‘They Shall Come From The East’. The recording is introduced by General Brian Peddle.