A Leader You Can Trust!
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I am placing my Spirit on him. He will announce a just verdict for the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1)
This verse begins what is called “The First Servant Song.” There are four songs in the book of Isaiah which speak of a “servant” that would be instrumental in saving God’s people. Isaiah served the Lord during the reigns of four kings of Judah. Two of them believed in the Lord and followed God’s will. Two did the opposite. Even the believing kings didn’t always rule perfectly. According to tradition, the fourth king, Manasseh killed Isaiah by having him placed inside a hollow log and sawn in half in the temple. With that background of unreliable kings, the Lord gives Isaiah this announcement in the verse of a reliable king.
Fast forward almost 3000 years later and we see that nothing has changed in the political world. Think of all the political ads we get subjected to in our country. The promises of people who claim to be a person we can trust. Is God doing the same thing?
By grace, we have come to see this promise fulfilled. Yes, Jesus is God’s Chosen One. He fulfilled what the Father had sent him to do. That King of Kings has a “just verdict” for the world. He took our sin and guilt and paid the penalty. The verdict he declares is forgiveness and the assurance of an eternal home.
Even though we live in a world still subject to sin and the problems sin brings, we know God’s promise is not a political ad. It is the assurance that the victory is won and no matter what, we can trust the Lord to continue to work everything out according to his will. Don’t put your trust in earthly rulers. Look to Jesus. He won the victory. As our victorious Lord, he is the Leader we can trust.
Prayer: Thank you, heavenly Father, for presenting your Servant to us. Lord Jesus, thank you for being that Servant. Holy Spirit, thank you for working through the Word and giving us that saving faith to rejoice in God’s wonderful announcement. Yes, Jesus is the Leader we can trust. Amen.