Isaiah 42:1-9 (NRSV)
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Chapter 42Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Verse 2He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; Verse 3a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. Verse 4He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Verse 5Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: Verse 6I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, Verse 7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Verse 8I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. Verse 9See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
Devotion
With creative love, God honored God's beloved Israel with a high calling to the mission of bringing justice to their world. A hard task, but God promised back-up to uphold and reinforce them with these promises: I will uphold. I will keep. I will give grace. I will make you a light to the nations! A big challenge, but God's grace will be sufficient enough to do it!
Isaiah reminds us of God's creating in the past. God stretched out the heavens, spread forth the earth and gave breath and spirit to the people. Still today, God creates gifts in each of us for the special tasks God calls us to do in every stage of life. Just as God created in the past, God is creating both call and gift in us even now. God made promises to Israel so long ago; let's hear those promises fresh for us. God will uphold. God will keep. God will give grace. God will make you a light.
Prayer
Loving and creating God, thanks for honoring me, giving both gift and call. Give also courage to claim your promises and to step forth confidently doing your will. Amen.