Isaiah 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." - Isaiah 42:1
In this ancient prophecy of Isaiah, written around 700 bc, God presents his "Servant" to humanity. He says, "Behold!" which means, "Pay attention! Listen up!" God upholds his Servant, who is his Chosen one. God's soul delights in his Servant. God has put his Spirit on his Servant, and it will be the mission of his Servant to bring permanent justice to the nations. In context, this "Servant" cannot be the nation of Israel. It is the coming Messiah, who we now know is Jesus.
Some applications for us: (1) we are to believe that Jesus is God's Servant, his Chosen one; (2) we are to delight in Jesus as God himself does; and (3) we are to eagerly anticipate the time when Jesus will bring forth perfect justice on earth.
Father, thank you for presenting your Servant to us. This is exactly what John the Baptist did when he presented Jesus at the Jordan River so long ago. We believe that Jesus is your promised Servant, the Chosen one. Thank you that you did not abandon mankind, even though we rebelled against you. If you wouldn't have sent your Servant, we would be lost. But Father, you have sent your Servant, we have seen him, and we know he is the One. May he come quickly for a second time and bring perfect justice to your earth. Our hope is in him and not in ourselves. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman