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
The gospel for the coming Sunday from John will set this week’s theme: “Come, See, Stay”
As we begin, the Lord’s servant prophet proclaims a new thing for God’s people just returned from exile in Babylon. Worn out he laments the need to start over. “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity.” Yet in the next breath confidence follows complaint: “Yet surely my cause is with the LORD and my reward with my God.” And now comes a promise of restoration for Israel: “I will give you as light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
We too are called to listen to the prophet’s revelation. Do not give in or give up. You are not alone. The LORD, who gives great tasks, also grants abundant strength and wisdom. Lean in to the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.
Prayer
Help us, O Lord, to be alert to your coming among us. When we despair, open our eyes to see you working in the world and empower us to join in your saving mission. Amen.
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