Scripture

He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.

Observation

The Lord’s servant, His chosen one, will bring justice to the nations. He will not crush the weakest reed. He will not lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth.

The Lord will give the servant to Israel, and He will be a light for the nations. Everything the Lord has prophesied has come true.

Application

In Isaiah, there are several passages that relate to the servant of the Lord, predictions about the ministry of Jesus.

In this chapter, we are told that he will be gentle, not breaking a weak reed or quenching a spluttering candle.

His ministry is to bring righteousness to the whole earth, even to lands beyond the sea.

That part of Jesus’ ministry has been expanding for 2,000 years, until now where there are Christians in just about every nation in the world.

This is important because everywhere christians live, they bring concepts of law, justice, love, freedom and so on. They literally bring a turnaround in the destiny of nations.

In some parts of the world, christians are persecuted severely for their faith. In places such as North Korea, Nigeria and the like, christians can only influence their circle. In other parts of the world, we have built nations, institutions and cultures on the freedom of the gospel.

Faith is no small thing. It drives history.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the faithfulness of past generations of Christians around the world. Please help me to make a difference in my part of the world. Amen.

Scripture

Not one of your idols told you this. Not one gave any answer when I asked. They are all foolish, worthless things. All your idols are as empty as the wind.

Observation

The Lord summons the lands beyond the sea to hear his arguments in a court case.

The Lord has stirred up the king from the east (i.e. Cyrus) to trample the nations. He scatters his enemies and reduces armies to dust.

The idol makers watch in fear. They encourage one another as they build their idols.

The Lord will look after Israel. He will destroy their enemies. He is the Lord their Redeemer.

He provides water for the thirsty and plants trees in the barren desert.

None of the false gods can do any of this. They are foolish, worthless things.

Application

Sinful human beings are incredibly idolatrous. We like to have the comfort of gods that we can see, as opposed to the true God whom we cannot see.

To an extent, idols are things that we can control and manipulate. The true God refuses to be manipulated.

Maybe we don’t have the traditional carved images, but even Christians can have their false gods. It might be the best scripture translation, the best denomination, our favourite pastor. Some even try to add occultic practices to faith, which is very dangerous.

I am discovering that I have a near- idolatrous relationship with food. The Lord is dealing with that by calling me to periods of fasting during Lent.

All idols in our lives must go in order to free us to serve the true God, the Lord.

Prayer

Father, please reveal to me the idols of my heart, and grant me grace to repent of them. Amen.