January 1, 2026 

Happy New Year! We’ve made it together to 2026! 

This week, we saw that the feast God invited Israel to is no small table. Not only is it a feast of delights and abundant life, free for any who are hungry or thirsty, but it is a table of resurrection, of new life from death and hope from despair.  

Remember again that the people are not thriving at the time Isaiah wrote these words. They were not even surviving! Their nation was gone, their homeland overtaken, their temple destroyed. They were exiles.  

What did it feel like to hear Isaiah offer these words?  

I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
    a ruler and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
    and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor. (Isaiah 55:3b-5) 

A ruler and commander of the people? Summoning nations? Nations running to you? Endowed with splendor?  

This was ridiculous. This was the furthest thing from reality.  

And yet. And yet. God implores them to see something different:  

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) 

No, Israel and Judah will never be united again. Not everyone will come home. Those who do will never become great like the surrounding empires—and praise God for that! Instead, they will learn to listen to God in repentance and humility. They will learn to feast on something greater than food and wine. They will be witnesses of righteousness—of right living, of justice and mercy and compassion—for all the world.  

All the world will see it. And some will come running.  

Friend, if you have been moved by Christ’s compassion, His mercy, Him love—if you have surrendered to His upside-down kingdom life of turning away from greed and power to seek humility and care for others (even strangers and enemies!)—then perhaps you were visible in Isaiah’s mind as he prophesied these words over heartbroken Israel.  

Special Message: 

For the past 11 years, Catherine McNeil has been the editor of our Wheaton Bible Devotions. She has edited, written, planned, and worked with a variety of writers to bring us beautiful words inspired by Scripture. This role is not easy, but God has used her as a writer to minister to our congregation. You can find her four books on Amazon, and each one has led me to growth in my walk with Christ. Personally, Catherine has encouraged, spoken wise words, and been a smiling face to sit with. She is finishing up her education and taking on new roles at this time, and will have to step away from her role here. We will miss Catherine and thank her for her ministry these past 11 years. 

Due to staff transitions, we will change our devotions starting in 2026. We encourage everyone to follow our church’s Bible reading plan, and since you are currently subscribed, we will send an online devotional associated with that plan to your inbox. Stay in the Word and keep growing in your faith. 

  • Pastor Phil Shields 

Church Reading Plan: Ezra 1; Acts 1 

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • What kind of global witness did God have in mind for His people? 
  • How do you think this landed on the people suffering without a homeland?  
  • How is this calling to be a witness of compassion and mercy still ours—yours—today?