Read Isaiah 49:1-7
you people who live far away!
Before I was born, the Lord
chose me
and appointed me to be his servant.
He made my words as sharp as a sword.
With his own hand he protected me.z He made me like
an arrow,
sharp and ready for use.
3 He said to me,
“Israel, you are my servant;
because of you, people will praise me.”
4 I said, “I have
worked, but how hopeless it is!
I have used up my strength, but have accomplished nothing.”
Yet I can trust the Lord
to defend my cause;
he will reward me for what I do.
5 Before I was born,
the Lord appointed me;
he made me his servant
to bring back his people, to bring back the scattered people
of Israel.
The Lord gives
me honour;
he is the source of my strength.
6 The Lord said to me,
“I have a greater task for you, my servant.
Not only will you restore to greatness
the people of Israel who have survived,
but I will also make you a light to the nations—
so that all the world may be saved.”
7 Israel’s holy God
and saviour says
to the one who is deeply despised,
who is hated by the nations
and is the servant of rulers:
“Kings will see you released and will rise to show their
respect;
princes also will see it,
and they will bow low to honour you.”
This will happen because the Lord
has chosen his servant;
the holy God of Israel keeps his promises.
Think
The Servant Songs of Isaiah are not just about Jesus. They are about Israel and they are about the
church. About how God will use Israel,
Jesus and the Church to draw all people back to him.
All three are called to shed God’s light through their
weakness; not through their power.
Pray
Lord, help me to humble shine your light out to all the
world. And when days are dark; open my
eyes to see the light of others.
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