Isaiah 42:1-9
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”” Isaiah 42:1-9 NIV
In today’s world many people are suffering from injustice and oppression while others struggle with feelings of anger, fear, frustration and hopelessness. But this passage reminds us that justice will prevail even though it may not come immediately because our ultimate hope lies in Jesus Christ who was sent to bring us great joy and peace with Him forevermore. As Christians we have a duty to fight injustice through prayerful advocacy, generous acts of kindness and work towards reconciliation within our communities according to God’s commands found throughout scripture. Here again Isaiah 42 throws light on the ministry of Jesus inaugurated at His baptism by revealing the identity of that Voice that thundered at that baptism. According to verse 5, He is the Creator of all that is, He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that come out of it, who gives birth to its people and life to those who walk in it. The One who created everything can certainly bring everything back to together. Further, says verse 8, this God is Yahweh, the covenant making and keeping God. Indeed, God, who will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. To a world that perpetually puts its trust in other gods, Isaiah boldly declares that there is no other god in whom we ought to hope. His glory is to save, and save He will, because He has promised and will keep that promise. We know God can keep that promise, because Yahweh always has kept His promises, See, the former things have taken place. That is probably a reference to God’s promise to judge and chasten His people in the Exile. I told you I would do it, and I have. But now I am doing a new thing; new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. Undoubtedly, God is talking about Israel’s restoration to the Promised Land, but, more significantly, He is pointing ahead to the coming of the Servant. Like the Servant of Isaiah, that Servant Savior would be chosen, beloved, equipped, gentle, merciful and faithful. He will bring light to the nations, opening eyes that are blind, freeing captives from prison and releasing from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. He will do that in the most unusual way. That this servant would establish justice by bearing God’s judgment upon himself is truly distinctive, unique, and the glorious work of no other God. One of the longest running shows on TV is the beloved Law and Order. Apparently there is no end to people’s fascination with seeing the law catching the law breakers and the courts making sure that order is restored. What a testimony to our inbred need to see justice done in this world. But, if I’m honest, there’s also a bit of vengeance roiling around in me, mixed with a drop or two of blood lust. What a contrast to Jesus, the Servant who seeks justice not by beating people up, but by tenderly caring for the beaten up and then by being beaten up himself. It doesn’t fit our contemporary culture, but it is glorious proof of how much God loves us!!!
Father thank You for this day and for the light of your love that You have given us through Your Word. Lord open the storehouses of your abundant blessings let them fall upon my friend and family today. Father thank You sending Your Son Jesus Christ into the world as a light amongst darkness as our hope when despair seems overwhelming and as an advocate on behalf of all those who cannot speak up or do not have freedom due to oppression or inequality. Lord we pray You would continue Your perfect work within us by changing our hearts so that we too can live faithfully according your perfect plan. Lord use my friend to be someone’s blessing today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
댓글