Isaiah 50:4-10—In
spite of suffering, God’s servant is vindicated.
The Christian faith endures suffering. Isaiah the prophet endured harsh treatment at the hands of his enemies for speaking the truth and being faithful. For this he had to suffer. Yet, as you read these words think of the One whose entire life was that of suffering. Centuries before Christ was even born, Isaiah, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was able to predict with great accuracy the events of Christ’s life as they are outlined in the Gospels. Pay particular attention to verses 5-8 and then see their fulfillment in Christ in such places as Luke 9:51; 1 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 27:30 and Romans 8:31-34.
The servant of God is given a tongue of wisdom and truth as one who has been taught. God’s servant does not speak for himself or out of his own experience. He is God’s mouth. The purpose? The word of the Lord in his servant’s mouth is to sustain the weary with a word from God. To sustain the weary indicates that the word is one of love and comfort.
Before a servant of God can speak he must first hear from God. How can he speak f he has nothing to say? How can he have anything to say unless he hears the message from God? The servant listens to God each morning and then has something to say the rest of the day. Today’s God’s spokesperson finds it necessary to spend time each morning in private devotions when God opens his ears to the Word that he has something to proclaim. Without personal devotion, the preacher either speaks his own ideas or he has nothing to say from God.[2]
A Prayer for obedience to God’s Word—O holy and most merciful God, You have taught us the way of Your commandments. We implore You to pour out Your grace into our hearts. Cause it to bear fruit in us that being ever mindful of Your mercies and Your laws, we may always be directed to Your will and daily increase in love toward You and one another. Enable us to resist all evil and to live a godly life. Help us to follow the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to walk in His steps until we shall possess the kingdom that has been prepared for us in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[3] -08 September, 2021
[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B; John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for obedience to God’s Word, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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