Light in the darkness
Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.” I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” Isaiah 49:1-6 NLT
The servant of the Lord has divine power to destroy strongholds. “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments” (2 Corinthians 10:4). His word is as sharp as a sword. He himself is a sharp arrow. This is the Messiah who came as both a Servant and a Warrior. He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. He served those who trust Him and eventually judging those who rejects Him. He calls the people to respond to the truth of the gospel. Christ, the Servant of the Lord, emerges in history to conquer the minds and hearts of those who will trust Him; not by force but by the truth. By becoming the substitute by giving His life as a payment for sin, the Lord Jesus Christ gave us life. “Christ made us right with God” (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is what God wants to give but it seemed that His offer is falling on deaf ears. “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose” (Isaiah 49:4). This is not surprising because when He came to accomplish His mission, it was not one of continual triumph. “Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?” (Matthew 17:17). He was despised and resisted. But despite all these, He saw the joy of knowing that there are those who will look up to Him in faith. “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). In this season of life, Christ came to give light to those who are in darkness. “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12).
Blessings,
