We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk.
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Isaiah 50:4-9a (New Revised Standard Version)
The Servant’s Humiliation and Vindication
4 The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8 he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
9 It is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Devotional Thought:
I count it a great privilege to be trusted to teach at NTC. This passage reminds me that my words have power – power to encourage, power to direct the course of life, power to sustain those who have been worn down by the battering of life.
Today, many people might identify with Isaiah’s “suffering servant.” People who stand up for truth and justice often bear the brunt of the beatings from powerful forces which act for personal gain, wealth, and influence. As we read the news headlines these days, we see this reality played out on the global stage, but often feel the impact of less “newsworthy” struggles locally. The psalmist often laments “…how long shall the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:3). It seems unfair that “doing the right thing” is met with opposition, confrontation and often violence.
It is easy to become weary of all the troubles around us. Easy to turn off the news and retreat into solitude and create a bubble of holiness. But in this passage God’s Servant is woken daily with an ear open to the plight of the suffering. The holiness demonstrated by Jesus is a holiness that does not self-isolate to preserve itself. Jesus engages the powers and authorities and forces of injustice with steadfastness – assured that God’s righteousness will prevail. A holy heart produces holy action.
And so, as we seek to establish God’s rule through justice and righteousness, mercy and humility, let us not close our ears to the cries of those who suffer injustices both small and great. Let us use our words to sustain those around us. As a teacher, I am called to listen to those being taught, so that my words can be directed towards their needs. Each one of us can practice the ministry of listening. Each one of us can offer a word of hope to sustain the weary. So, let us act in obedience and faithfulness in the name of the One who is Faithful and True.
Prayer:
Lord, I pause to open my ears to the voice of your Spirit.
I offer the words of my lips to speak words of encouragement.
May my face be set like flint to obey your direction.
I trust in your unfailing love.
Amen
Rev Richard Giesken
NTC Associate Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Missiology