The Servant of the Lord
Opening Prayer
Father God, I am Your grateful child, and I want to live to please You today.
Read Isaiah 42:1-9
[1] “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. [2] He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. [3] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; [4] he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” [5] 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: [6] “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, [7] to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. [8] “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. [9] See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What will this "Servant" be, and what is its role?The Servant of the Lord emerges as the key figure in these chapters. Who is the Servant? It is clearly Israel (41:9). But Jesus appropriates key passages from Isaiah to himself (Luke 4:18-21). Furthermore, Christians are also servants of the Lord (2 Cor. 6:4) called to follow Christ in a life of witness and endurance. Jesus taught us: “… when you have done everything you were told to do, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'” (Luke 17:10). So this Servant is a model for us. It is a title that delights God and brings him honor (1; cf. Luke 3:22). The Servant is characterized by calm authority, compassion and endurance (2,3). He is one who brings the light of revelation and understanding (6b,7), not usurping God’s glory (8), but shining with it and empowered by his Spirit (1,6). Jesus, the ultimate Servant of the Lord, calls his followers to model these attributes, too (John 12:26; Matt. 5:14). Whatever the coming day may hold, you can go into it with confidence as a servant of the Lord, under his authority and bringing him pleasure.
Apply
How could this servant be a model for you? How can you follow his example today?
Closing prayer
Lord, I’m Your servant. In the name of Your holy Servant, uphold me, and let Your glory shine through me.
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