In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

— Isaiah 10:20

For thus says the LORD: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’

— Jeremiah 31:7

I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men.

— Micha 2:12

In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

— Romans 11:5

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

— 1 Corinthians 1:25-27

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

The faithful God continues to seek rebellious people who spurn His blessings and go their own way. Throughout Israel’s history, God sent prophet after prophet with timely messages for His people. God’s faithfulness cannot be measured by the people’s response but rather by His consistent and persistent pursuit of them. For example, God told His prophet Ezekiel to listen carefully and take to heart all the words He spoke to him and go to Israelites in exile and speak to them whether they would listen or fail to listen.

We praise the Lord that He preserved a faithful minority who remained tuned in to His presence and voice even though most Israelites ignored Him. Some, such as Ezekiel, expected and experienced rejection despite faithful obedience. Others, such as Ezra and Nehemiah, saw God overcome opposition and move complacent hearts. In every age, God preserves a faithful remnant who honor Him and take His message of hope to those ensnared by the traps of sin. May we be the ones who are faithful and obedient in listening to God’s voice and speaking God’s word to His people.