Isaiah 49:1-7 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 49:1-7 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 49Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. Verse 2He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. Verse 3And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." Verse 4But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God." Verse 5And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength- Verse 6he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Verse 7Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, "Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
Devotion
Might we consider in today's reading that it is not just one person that speaks with God, but a whole nation—a community that is gathered and honed and called from before it even started. When we read these words regarding how we relate to one another and the world, maybe we begin to open up to the vision that we do not carry the restoration of the world as individuals, or even as a community—but that we carry God’s word and vision for the world.
Like Isaiah we are called to serve God. It is no easy task. It can feel like a great weight. But being called to be a light offers a different image. Maybe a simple light is just enough—even when it does not feel like it. Light shows us hope and hope is often more effective, more powerful than we think. A vision of hope, a light to help us pay attention to God in the world...is that enough?
Prayer
God of the light, God of all creation, you call us into the light with you; you guide us through places where we cannot see and you bless us with the light of hope to be leaders of your peace in the world. Amen.