Reformation Lutheran 1997 Lenten Devotional - Number 36
March 19, 1997. Today's Bible verse is Isaiah 49: 1-6
A Light to the Nations
In this second Servant's Song, Israel (perhaps the
nation or an individual) says "Pay attention" to nature
(coastlands) and also to "you peoples from far away"
(v. 1). The servant-narrator says that, even in the womb, he
was called to be God's servant to bring reconciliation between
the Jewish people and their God. Since then God has hidden him
away, so that he feels his strength and work have been wasted.
Despite this frustration, he still believes that his cause and
his reward are God. In fact, "my God has become my strength"
(v. 5). Perhaps because of the servant's complete trust in God,
the Lord expands His original mission to include the whole world:
"It is too light a thing that you should ... 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" (v.
6).
This recalls Simeon's Song when he saw the infant
Jesus in the temple: "my eyes have seen your salvation,
. . . a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory
to your people Israel" (Luke 2: 30, 32). How fortunate for
us today that God's gift of his Son was to all peoples of the
world for all time!
Prayer: Gracious
God. Thank You for Your mercy on a sinful world and your generosity
in giving your only Son for salvation of all peoples. Use us
as you used the servant in this Psalm--to proclaim God's grace
through our example. Amen.
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