Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Isaiah 49:5-6 (NIV)
“And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength—he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:5-6 (MSG)
“And now,” God says, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, to bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel—What an honor for me in God’s eyes! That God should be my strength! He says, “But that’s not a big enough job for my servant— just to recover the tribes of Jacob, merely to round up the strays of Israel. I’m setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!”
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“And now says the Lord, who formed Me from 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 eyes of the Lord, and My God is My strength—He says, “It is too trivial a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will also make You a light to the nations that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” -AMPLIFIED
“Christ is the true light of the world; it is through him alone that true wisdom is imparted to the mind.” ~Jonathan Edwards
In yesterday’s text we were reminded that the Messiah would be tempted, just as mankind is, but we know from the New Testament, that He did not sin.
“I said, “I’ve worked and served for nothing. I have used up all my strength for nothing.”
Yet my rights I leave in Yahweh’s hands, and my just reward is with my God.” -Isaiah 49:4 (The Passion Translation)
Isaiah reminded us that the Messiah gave all His “rights” to God, submitting to the Father’s authority over Him, knowing that God is the Rewarder. In today’s passage we find that the Messiah has been appointed as The Light of Salvation to all people, every nation, tribe, and tongue.
“And now the Eternal who watched, shaped, and made me His own servant from the womb has determined to restore Jacob’s family; Israel will be made right with the Eternal again. For God has counted me worthy and He has been my strength right along. Eternal One: As My servant you will do even more than this, even more than restoring Jacob’s family to Me and making Israel right with Me again. I will make you a light for the nations, and You will illumine them until My salvation reaches to the ends of the earth.” -(VOICE)
Once again, Israel is reminded that Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty, has appointed the Messiah. His eye has been on the Chosen One. He also formed this Special Servant in His mother’s womb, for the purpose of serving Adonai. His task was two-fold:
1.) To restore the people of Israel.
“To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel;” -(AMP)
2.) To be a Light to the nations.
“I will also make You a light to the nations That My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” -(AMP)
“And now,” said the Lord—the Lord who formed me from my mother’s womb to serve him who commissioned me to restore to him his people Israel, who has given me the strength to perform this task and honored me for doing it!—“you shall do more than restore Israel to me. I will make you a Light to the nations of the world to bring my salvation to them too.” -(TLB)
Many commentators view this passage as the Great Commission of the Old Testament. The commissioning of the Messiah, which explains God’s intentions. He desires salvation for all the Earth, and it would come through The Light.
In the New Testament, we find John telling us about the Light.
“Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking. The Voice was and is God. This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator; His speech shaped the entire cosmos. Immersed in the practice of creating, all things that exist were birthed in Him. His breath filled all things with a living, breathing light—A light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched.” -John 1:1-5 (VOICE)
Jesus Christ even identifies Himself as The Light of the World.
“Then Jesus said, “I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.” -John 8:12 (The Passion Translation)
To the crowds who followed Him, Jesus told this:
“…“The one who believes and trusts in Me does not believe [only] in Me but [also believes] in Him who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in Me [as Savior—all those who anchor their hope in Me and rely on the truth of My message] will not continue to live in darkness.” -John 12:44-46 (AMP)
He also warned the people that they need to choose, would they live in the Light, or in the darkness:
“Therefore Yeshua said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Yeshua spoke these things, then left and hid Himself from them.” -John 12:35-36 (Tree of Life Version)
There was nothing dark and hidden about Jesus. He was and is the Light of the world, and He welcomed the light.” ~Samuel Logan Brengle
My friend, Jesus, the Messiah, came to restore Israel to the Father, and to be The Light of Salvation to the World. God does not want anyone to be eternally separated from Him, but that choice is up to each of us. We must choose to live in the Light, for if we do not choose the Light, the choose has been made, and we will walk in the darkness, eternally separated from The Light.
“The book of Revelation says that we no longer need the sun or the moon, for Christ is the light of the world.” ~Tim LaHaye
My Prayer:
Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty, I choose to follow, and walk in The Light. For me, there is no other choice. I give up my rights, to the Father, just as you did. I choose to be obedient to The Light, for I understand that peace, joy, and love can only truly be found in The Light. I ask that you illuminate all the corners of my life, so that nothing is hidden. Help me to daily make the choice to stay in The Light. I know that you have given to me the tools needed to do so, please allow your Holy Spirit to remind me of this when I am faced with the temptations of this Word. I realize I do not need to fall under the spell of sin. You have provided for me everything needed to fight, and to stand in The Light. Thank you, Lord.
Growing with God 