The Lord's chosen One

ISAIAH CHAPTER 42

In this chapter God talks about his servant, whom he strengthened. His chosen one whom he was pleased with. The one he put his Spirit upon and this servant would reveal justice to the nations. He would be a gentle servant, would not shout or raise his voice in public. He would not crush those who were weak or quench the smallest hope. He would bring full justice to all who have been wronged and he would not stop until truth and righteousness prevailed throughout the earth.

God alone created the heavens and stretched them out, says Isaiah. He created earth and gave breath to everyone in all the world. God calls the people to demonstrate his righteousness and he will support them and these people will be his light to guide all the nations to him.

God says he will not give glory to anyone else, he will not share his praise with carved idols. Everything Isaiah prophesied had come true and now the a new prophesy will tell the future before it happens.  In verses 10 through17, Isaiah teaches a song of praise which I hope you will read in its entirety.

Now Isaiah tells the people of Israel how they have been deaf and blind toward God. God cannot understand why they don't listen or refuse to see him. The Lord magnified his law and made it truly glorious. But his people are a sight, for they have been robbed, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped. They are fair game for all and have no one to protect them. God questions them and asks them to look back and see who allowed Israel to be robbed and hurt. And the answer is the Lord was sinned against by the people and he poured out fury on them and destroyed them in battle. But they still refused to understand.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The first four verses of this chapter are quoted in Matthew 12: 18-21 with reference to Christ. The verses of praise are sometimes called the "Servant Song" because they are about the Messiah.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Just as the Israelites seemed so blind, we too, often fail in the same way. Sometimes we are partially blind- seeing but not understanding or knowing what is right but not doing it. This is almost as bad or worse than not seeing at all.  Often we are ready to direct God's message at others and can't see how it touches our own lives. Make sure you are willing to take your own advice as you teach.

The chosen Servant/Messiah in this chapter reveals a man of gentleness and truth. When we feel broken or bruised or just plain burnt out, God won't toss you aside, but will pick you up. We can show others his love by reflecting his goodness and honesty to them.  In this chapter, God shows that he lit a fuse with all of those who believed. In return, the fuse flamed up and spread to those who would listen to the words of god. This is true today as well. We all have that light, that fuse burning in us and if we believe we can pass it on. PRAISE THE LORD!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:



HEALTH: Update on Logan: She gave birth to a healthy, baby boy. Thank you God!


Pray for Gabe.


Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.


Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.


Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.


Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.


Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.


Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.


Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.


Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.


Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.


SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary


RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John


LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian


SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.