01-30-12 "Serving: God's Pathway to Influence" Isaiah 49:1-7

The passage I read was Isaiah 49:1-7

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+49%3A1-7&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

  ⁵ And now the LORD says— 

   he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
   and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD
   and my God has been my strength—

As I reflect:

Over 400 years before Christ as a man walked the earth (possibly up to 700 years before), Isaiah or one of his disciples whom also had the gift of prophecy wrote these words about the coming Messiah.  What does it mean to us?

Well first off it means that Jesus was destined and called to this duty since long before Mary first heard she would bear a child.  We know that because of the time frame of the writing.  We then see in verse 1 that Jesus was called and known even in the womb of Mary.  For us, as servants of the Lord we can relate to this knowing that we too were called to serve the Lord since before our birth. 

In verse 2, the prophet goes on to describe the coming Messiah as having a mouth made like a sharpened sword.  Verse one adds the authority His voice has.  This authority is given to us as well in the New Testament.  We are given the authority to use the name of Christ as well as to speak the Word of God which is our sword of the Spirit.   This sword from the armor of God described in Ephesians 6 is described in more depth as a penetrating word in Hebrews 4:12 which says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.“   

Verse 3 calls Jesus “Israel” in that the Lord will display His splendor in that body of followers much as He will display His glory in Jesus.  It is the same with us as we seek to be salt and light.  It is not our own light that we shine, but it is the light of Him who is in us.  It is the glory of God which we merely reflect in our lives for others to see Him. 

Verse 4 communicates the frustration it was for Christ as He endured in this world as a man.  He communicates how at times he felt like all his hard work may have been for nothing.  But the verse doesn’t stop there.  There is encouragement for us as servants who often can feel the same way when our efforts seem to be in vain.  He says through the prophet, “My reward is with my God.”  And so it is with us.  Let’s remember we are just passing through and our home and reward are with God.  

Verse 5 teaches us as servants to rely on God for our strength and that in doing so (verse 6) teaches us we can be used for far greater a plan that we sometimes think.  We tend to limit ourselves by our own abilities, but as servants of the Most High, with authority in the name of Jesus Christ we can do far greater than we often think. Don’t limit yourself.  With God you can do all things. 

Finally, in verse 7 we see that thought the valley may be long and filled with all sorts of persecution, the Lord will lift us up.  For me, I am here reminded from last week’s studies that we are to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and that He will lift us up.  The Son of God gave us yet another perfect example of that in this prophecy as He was the most humble of all servants and following His great persecution, the Lord did in fact lift Him up.  He sits at the right hand of God and even greater glory is yet to come in His return for us as well as at the final return to triumphantly through down those who oppose Him. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord my prayer is that as your servant, you would remind me throughout every day of the examples that Your Son has given me.  I pray that you would remind me that I am chosen and called since before my birth, that Satan would not convince me I am of no use.  I pray that your Holy Spirit remind me of every word I have read and that when the time comes, He would speak through me that my sword may be sharp and effective against my enemies.  I pray that I reflect your glory in whatever I do and wherever I go.  I pray Lord, that when all seems dark and persecution comes from every side I’ll not forget that this is temporary and to be counted joy.  I look forward to coming home in your timing Father.  And when I start to doubt, even before I doubt, may I be reminded to rely on your strength always and trust in you with all my heart mind and soul.  In Jesus’ name.