Pay It Forward

In Isaiah 49: 1-6 we see an invitation for all Gentiles to listen to the Lord. Israel was chosen as a nation to serve God and to glorify His name. Israel was prepared to speak the prophetic Word likened to a sharp sword that cut through all falsehood. God provided protection as He prepared Israel for service. The Lord declared Israel to be His servant in whom He would be glorified.
In this chapter we can also see the Messiah as being introduced, declaring the full extent of His commission, which is not only to be Savior to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. He was called from the womb to serve God by whom He was designed to be glorified. He was called to bring back the lost sheep of the house of Israel and bring Jacob back to God. He was furnished with everything to fight God’s battles. Let us not forget that not only is He the Son of God, but He is part of the Trinity.
The prophet Isaiah was discouraged as he felt his labor was in vain. Israel, many times, would not listen and failed in their service for the Lord. Jesus too had to comfort himself against discouragement that His labor was in vain. He would go to His Father in prayer. As with Jesus and the prophet Isaiah, you can fight this discouragement by knowing that you are on God’s side and He knows. The unbelief of men does not count against your judgment as long as you pronounce the truth. Your judgment is with the Lord and as long as you are faithful He will reward you.
God responded to Isaiah that He wanted Israel to return to Him. He was providing them another opportunity to complete their mission. And what mission did He have for them? He wanted Israel to restore the tribes of Jacob, restore the preserved of Israel, and to be a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.
We too have a mission. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. (John 8: 12; 12: 35, 36, 46) He is the source of the light and we, as Christians, must be reflections of that light. (Matthew 5: 14-16) We must let our light shine so that all people can see our good works in Christ Jesus to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Written by Deborah Davis