Daily Devotions – The suffering servant

Daily Devotions – The suffering servant

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

Isaiah 42:1-9 (ESV)

The Lord‘s Chosen Servant

42 Behold 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. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break,  and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will  not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus 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 on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in  righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

In the latter part of the prophet Isaiah, we find four extremely important prophecies about how God’s Messiah (Jesus) would have to suffer, in order to accomplish our salvation. These are often called the “servant songs.” We will read all four this week. Keep in mind that before Jesus came, the Jewish people didn’t really understand what these passages were talking about – that’s why people didn’t recognize Jesus as Messiah.

As you reflect on this passage, reflect on v. 3, which shows Jesus’ methods (he won’t injure even the most fragile of God’s children), and v. 6 – 7, which show God’s goals of freeing those in bondage, and bringing salvation to the whole world (and not just the Jews). Finish your devotion by asking God “what new things is He declaring to you?” (v. 9).