Chosen For a Purpose

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Opening Prayer

Holy One, You alone are worthy of my complete and unending praise. May Your name be glorified for evermore.

Read Isaiah 49:1-7

^[1] Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. ^[2] He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. ^[3] He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” ^[4] But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” ^[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- ^[6] he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” ^[7] This is what the LORD says- the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel- to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Meditate

“Christ gives us a cause to live for…” (William Barclay, 1907-1978). In a world searching for meaning, purpose is a great gift.

Think Further

The servant of the Lord has been featured several times in Isaiah. This servant was empowered by God’s Spirit for a mission of justice to the nations, carried out faithfully with compassion and resilience (42:1-4), and initially seemed to be identified as the nation of Israel (44:1-5). We now see the identity of the servant as both Israel (3) and the one who will restore Israel (5,6). Sometimes the servant himself speaks (1-4); sometimes God speaks about the servant (5-7). It is probably best understood when God’s intention for the whole nation to bring his light to the Gentiles was obviously not going to be fulfilled (4). Then, the focus narrowed to an individual servant who could complete the mission (5). We will learn more about the character of this servant in coming chapters (50,52,53).

Despite the ambiguity, several things are clear. The servant of the Lord was called and chosen by God before his birth (1,5). His initial role was to restore the tribes of Jacob back to their special relationship with Yahweh. His ultimate purpose was to be a light for nations (6) and rulers (7); and his goal was for God’s splendor (3) and salvation (6) to be made known. He would be equipped and protected (2), given strength beyond his own (4,5) and sustained by God’s faithfulness (7).

What higher calling and empowerment could a servant ask for? Our place in life might seem insignificant compared with this amazing charter, but we, too, are called for a purpose. I am regularly encouraged by the verse I was given at my baptism in my mid-teens: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

Apply

Are you clear about your purpose as a servant of Jesus Christ? Write down what you would like him to bring “to completion” in your life.

Closing prayer

Lord, I am amazed that in the complexities of life, You know who I am. I am even more amazed that You will complete Your work in my life. I pledge to co-operate with You today.

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