The previous chapter (Isaiah 40) states that nations are like a "drop in the bucket" (v. 15) in God's eyes and that "God is sovereign over the nations" (v. 21-25, NIV Compact Bible Commentary, p. 369). In chapter 41, we see some of the outworking of above mentioned verses. 1.) God stirs up the Persian King Cyrus to come save his people 2.) God had promised to raise this deliver up many years beforehand 3.) God was doing this all on behalf of his beloved chosen people, Israel (NIV CBC, p. 370). In Chapter 42, a new servant is mentioned (v. 1-4). This just happens to be the "messianic Servant of the Lord" (NIV CBC, p. 370), Christ Himself! Likewise, this Servant would rescue God's servant Israel out of their own blindness (v. 7, 18-19). This Servant also rescues us out of our own spiritual blindness! In what ways have your eyes been opened since you first came to know Christ as Savior and Lord?
The Thessalonicans possessed a real and vibrant faith (I Thes. 1:1-10)! Key in on verses 3 and 8-10. These Thessalonicans worked hard and long while maintaining a spirit of love (v. 3). They had a reputation (v. 8-9) and a testimony (v. 9-10) among the people. Would you consider yourself as being similar in spirit to a Thessalonican?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment