The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14.

If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15.

If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in His good time He will lift you up. Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 TLB.

I confess that reading this chapter, Isaiah 49, is confusing to me. The title is The future Redeemer, The Servant of the Lord. Israel was called to be the servant, to walk with Creator God – Father…Son…Spirit. To delight in Him, and to show the world the true God. Listen to Me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb He has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver. He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will display My splendor.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” v. 1-4. Do we ever feel that? That we labor in vain, spent, not understanding God’s truth? And now the Lord says – He who formed me in the womb to be His servant to bring Jacob back to Him and gather Israel to Himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength – He says, “It is too small a thing for you to be My servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” v. 5-6. Wow. Is Isaiah now referencing Jesus? Jesus spoke also to the Gentiles that the Father’s salvation would be for them, also. Israel could not imagine doing that! The Gentiles, too, were surprised. Do we limit God, too? Can we keep our eyes on God and the work He is doing? Put your trust not in humans or nations. Put your trust in Almighty God and what He is doing. This is what the Lord says: “In the time of My favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’…He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water…Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.” v. 8-9, 10, 13. But what do we say when we forget God? But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” v. 14. Have you ever thought that about God because of the confusion in your heart and in the world? We can barely imagine the things God will do that are promised! “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me…See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up My banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their hips…I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save…Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” v. 15, 16, 22, , 25, 26.

Jesus, the Son, is the light of all the world bringing His love and His truth which is a sharpened sword cutting through the darkened confusion in our minds and in this world. Jesus didn’t bring a sword of war. Humanity does that. That’s what we bring. God brings His truth that lights the way for us through the darkness and confusion, and brings us to Him. Thank You, Lord, for so great a Love!