PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Isaiah 49-50
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“That my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
These chapters convey the tension between the God’s frustration and compassion.
God hates the sin in the world, yet God loves the people of the world.
God cannot ignore or tolerate sin, yet God cannot let go of humanity.
They capture the tension of history, the crisis of justice and mercy.
We especially see that crisis played out on the cross.
Sin is condemned, but Jesus absorbs that condemnation for us.
Jesus reveals God’s love for the world, God’s desire to save all people.
God does not want anyone to perish, though some stubbornly refuse salvation.
In Christ God has done everything needed to make salvation possible for all.
In Jesus God is spreading the grace message “to the ends of the earth”.
In us, Jesus is extending grace to the Gentiles (all people).
It has always been God’s plan to bless the nations through Israel (Genesis 12:1-2).
As Jesus followers, we do not just enjoy hope for ourselves, we share it with others.
May we not add to God’s frustration by refusing to share grace and compassion!
PRAYER
Lord, in love you came to bring God’s salvation to everyone, everywhere. Help me to spread your grace to everyone, everywhere!
God’s sovereignty knows no limits! Why do I minimize him from time to time? Like the prophet I must answer the question about God: “Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?” Sometimes in moments of being overwhelmed – I need to remember – not to despair but instead to trust and let go and let God. Hold me close Lord Jesus – let me walk with you – guide me by your spirit even in the simple things of life!
Walk in His SonShine. Trust in His name. Rely upon Him. He is the answer for all who receive Him. He is my Redeemer and yours. Just believe and go forward in that power and rely upon His promises. I need to be an instrument of His peace and let His Light also shine through me that others may know and see that He is the Redeemer – this is God’s world.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul