SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 42:1-17
OBSERVATION:
Description of God’s promised messiah (servant who will bring justice to the nations, vv.1-4).
God reminds His people Who He is, assures them He will keep His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and bring blessing (light) to all people, especially the weak/needy.
Isaiah urges people to praise the Lord because He will rise up one day – He is coming!
God compares Himself to pregnant woman, the long 9 months of silence and waiting are almost over, the labour is about to begin (v.14).
God announces that He will intervene on behalf of those who trust Him, and will overthrow those who practice immoral idolatry.
APPLICATION:
The image of a pregnant woman is helpful, for a long time God’s plan is secretly, quietly forming, but one day it will be birthed.
This does not explain why God delays His actions on behalf of the poor (often for years, even centuries), but it does show that God is preparing, the time will come, we just have to trust and wait.
How hard it is to watch people suffer and do nothing; if God is for real, and is waiting for a good reason, imagine how hard it must be for Him to wait.
PRAYER:
Lord, there are times when I have a hard time hanging on to the promise when everything seems to be wrong around me. Help me to choose to believe, whether I feel it or not. Amen.
– the SERVANT is upheld by the Lord
– the SERVANT is chosen by the Lord
– the SERVANT will bring justice to the nations
– the SERVANT will not shout or cry out or raise his voice … in FAITHFULNESS he will bring forth justice
– the SERVANT will not falter till he establishes justice on the earth
– the SERVANT will not be discouraged till he establishes justice on the earth
– the LORD puts His Spirit on the servant
– the LORD has called the servant in righteousness
– the LORD will take hold of the servants hand
– the LORD will keep the servant to be a covenant and light for the people
– the LORD will make the servant to be a covenant and light for the people
– the SERVANT has been called to open the eyes that are blind
– the SERVANT has been called to free captives from prison
– the SERVANT has been called to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness
I AM the LORD – that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols … those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.
The prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The people had to wait a long time for God’s promises to be fulfilled. In their expectant waiting, His people, needed to hear and obey His Word. Waiting patiently is a tough task. His Word was fulfilled enturies later. Today we too need to hear and obey His Word. Christ has come and will come again. During this week we celebrate His victory. He is the Light of the world. He has come and will come again. The Lord God is with me since He keeps His covenant promises. God is Who He is – the Lord Almighty is His name and all things will come to pass in His time. In our expectant waiting, we are to sing songs of praises, giving glory to the Lord for His Word will come to pass also today. In my waiting today Lord, help me to praise Your name and make me an instrument of Your peace.
I will sing, unto the Lord, for He, is glorious.
The horse and rider thrown into the sea.
The Lord, my God, my strength, my song,
Is now become my victory
The Lord is God and I will praise Him,
The Lord is God, and I will exalt Him!
This is my God and I will praise Him,
Just like my fathers, I will exalt Him!