Early thoughts: Just when we think we're just not up to the task, God says, "You are my servant Israel, through whom I will be glorified." I can relate!!!
Sally in GA
Sally, This passage is so "humblingly" awesome. If we can pass on the vision that the LORD is saying here and take it (indeed) personally, what an awesome work.
I am thinking...could we contrast this teaching w/ current "self-esteem" thinking? I think this wil be a sig. section of my message in the application. What do you think?
Faithfully, Mike in IN
This passage works nicely with two themes I'm working with right now at the beginning of the year, the priesthood of all believers, and our calling as children of God. I'm using this and the 1 Corinthians passage, which emphasizes calling and giftedness. it's only Tuesday, any thoughts?
Larry in Indy
It is hard for me to tell if Isaiah is speaking of himself or of the coming Messiah. I guess I'm in the good company of the Ethiopian eunich. Either way, I hear the speaker saying ,"God made me a sword, an arrow, but He hid me away, not ready to use me yet. Everything I've done is in vain. It comes to no good end. Yet just at the point of giving up and giving in, God says,'It isn't enough for you to be a blessing to a few. I will bless many by you.'"
I'm thinking of a lot of folks who may need to hear just such a word of encouragement from God. Have you got any stories of people who at the point of giving up, saw their efforts pay off in a way they did not expect? Or after a failure, a success in another unimagined area?
I think we all have those times when we need to remember that even the disciples of Jesus thought it was all lost and for nothing in the days between Good Friday and Easter. It may feel like Friday now, but Sunday's coming! Could be a good time for such a message. tom in TN(USA)
I know many of my United Methodist colleagues won't be participating, but this (Jan. 20) is Sanctity of Life Human Sunday and I was pleased to find this among the lectionary choices for the day. I am calling my sermon "God Knows Their Names." Peace, Pastor Dave in Ohio "God loves you and there's nothing you can do about it!"
LOLOL! I just looked at my previous post -- of course, it should read: "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday" :-) / dave in ohio <><
Dave in Ohio Liked your title. I was thinking on the same thing. I preached on reaffirmation last week and posed the question to my people What does God have for you to do in the new year? This follows up with that...letting not what others may say deter us self esteem training?!?! like one other posted. I just had my LP interview so this passage uplifting to up... why is it that the Elders cut Lp's to ribbons? To make us stronger? I know what my call is! I know what my gifts are! I have the gift to Love the people , and peach the Gospel! Love is the greatest gift and as I go thru life always learning---from God , getting deeper into His word , as myself totally disappear and God has total way. I think Us, Preacher, Churches need to get back to basics...Think John Wesley! John would probably roll over in his tomb at what UMC does! UMC knows their call, what they doing about it! Ladypreacher in OHio
I was struck by the phrase, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant." Is God deminishing serving? Is there something weightier that God wants us to to/be? The sentence continues, "I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." I guess I am struggling with my sense of serving is not enough? Is it the Mary/Martha dilemma? Judy
Hi Tom!
I've always taken it that all of the prophecies of the Old Testament were for their own time, and when Christ came it became evident that they also pointed toward Him. If we think of the priesthood of all believers replacing the Levitical priesthood, we can make a transfer to our own feelings.
The passage speaks of us being able to do much more for God than we plan or know. "It's too light of a thing for you (what you are doing)" and God showing his splendor and glory through us.
Larry in Indy
Hey Judy, I was struck by the same line, "Is it too light a thing..." I was thinking it was a response to all of Isaiah's commisserating. In verse 4, he seems to be saying, "Man! I worked so hard, and for what?" Perhaps he's thinking, "if I had known it was going to be this hard, I never would have said, 'here I am, Lord! Send me?'" And God responds by saying "Duh! Of course it's hard! Did you actually think calling a whole nation to repentance would be easy?!" But God also seems to be saying, "but hold on, Isaiah, I'm just getting started with you!"
Judy- I think the "too light a thing" is not to denegrate serving, but is to tell the people that they are not there only to serve God, but to serve others as a ligbt that draws people to God. They are part of a wider picture than merely their own little group and its relationship to God. Sort of the answer to the question "wider do wider mission?"
Deb in Bangor
Since this is our annual meeting Sunday I'm thinking of using the image of the arrow and pointing out that not only must one aim high to get the arrow to the mark, but that we don't even see the target--only the LORD does. From where our congregation is, things might look pretty difficult. Good thing we're the arrow, not the archer! KB in WA
Larry in Indy, I concur. The prophets spoke to their folks in their times. God, who invented recycling, later used the prophets words to spark revelation in other folks about other things/people. Seems the only way to understand prphecy is in hindsight, as we say,"Oh! That's just what God said would happen. Go figure." Who knows when we will again find meaning in some passage we now call archaic and unimportant? Kinda makes reading the Book a treasure hunt, looking for those nuggets others have passed over, that some divine wind has finally blown the dust off of. tom in TN(USA)