How do we define our purpose and identity? What shapes our decision-making, our moral compass, and our everyday choices?
For most Christians, the answer is simple: God. But how do we build our view of God? How can we even begin to understand Him?
When we struggle to grasp God’s character or simply need to remember who He is, we can turn to the Servant Songs in Isaiah.
Isaiah 42:1-9, the first of the four "Servant Songs," unveils the Messiah through powerful and expressive language. While Scripture sometimes uses language most familiar to Israel, these songs clearly describe a unique, unparalleled servant—one who will perfectly accomplish what Israel could not. Each song has a specific focus, and together they paint a portrait of God’s heart revealed through the coming Savior. The first Servant Song offers a message that helps frame our thinking about God.
In Isaiah 42:1-9, we glimpse the servant's person and work: "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged until he establishes justice on earth. And in his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
God declares His servant as chosen and filled with His Spirit, bringing hope, justice, and deliverance to the nations. The description of the servant's actions points to God Himself, revealing His nature and character. With gentleness and faithfulness, God’s servant—Jesus, the unique Son of God—extends the hope of salvation to His people.
“This is what God the LORD says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spread out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I the LORD, have called you in righteousness. I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind and free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another.”
In this passage, God offers hope to a rebellious people—a servant like no other. He promises justice to a people surrounded by injustice, and salvation no one can achieve on their own. The rest of Scripture helps us recognize this promise refers to Jesus. Jesus came to shine the light of salvation to people lost in darkness. Coming to earth as God in human flesh, Jesus showed us what God is like.
This passage reveals God's very nature. When we fail to understand who God is, anxiety, fear, and hopelessness abound. How do we find an anchor in a world that tosses us about? A correct understanding of God’s might and tenderness provides a solid, unchangeable grid through which we can align our thinking and interpret life. True comfort is only found in knowing God.
How does a wrong or inadequate view of God lead you astray? Where do you go to find comfort in this restless world? God tells us who He is and what He is like. No idol can adequately replace Him or compares to Him. Knowing and believing truth about God sets us free. Though God is exalted above us in every way, He longs to draw us near. God has revealed His heart to save sinners.
Haven’t we all experienced the pain of being misjudged or misunderstood? Wrong thoughts about God mar our perspective in so many ways. The salvation God offers humanity is intertwined with His identity. When you take the time to learn about who God is, you begin to see Him rightly.
No matter how you view God right now, He invites you to know Him as He has revealed Himself in His Word. How deeply do you understand that God is gracious, compassionate, loving, wise, eternal, just, and unchanging? As you discover who God is, you will increasingly appreciate His compassion for sinners and His heart to save. All God has done and will do flows from who He is. What we can know about God while on earth will only grow brighter and bigger in eternity.
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