The Servant Our LORD: Isaiah 61, 62(2)

Pray Psalm 96.1-3.
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

Read Isaiah 61.4-7.

Reflect.
1. How would you describe the work God has for His servants to do?

2. What does He promise as they undertake this work?

Meditate.
A day of salvation, joy, and comfort is coming. But it is also a day of work. God is bringing His salvation to His people, and He intends for them to extend the benefits of that salvation to the world around them. They are tasked with restoring broken things – ruins, desolations, cities (v. 4). Others will join them in their work – “strangers” and “the sons of the foreigner” as shepherds, farmers, and vinedressers (v. 5). These will serve the servants of God as they serve Him in the work of restoration. Together they shall enjoy all the blessings God has given to the Gentiles, and all the glory they have squandered (v. 6).

The primary work of God’s people is to serve as priests (v. 6). The work of the priest is to connect people and creation with God, to restore His goodness, bring down His favor, and glorify Him in every aspect of life. All God’s people serve as priests, just as God originally intended for them (Ex. 19.6). It will be their honor, glory, and joy to take up the work of restoring to the world the goodness with which God originally invested it.

God’s people were about to go into captivity for 70 years. But He promised a day of liberation, of salvation, and of restoration, in which His people would resume the work of Adam and Eve, to develop and extend the goodness and glory of God to all peoples, all creation, and all culture. This is that “great salvation” which is ours because of the work of the Servant, Jesus Christ (Heb. 2.3).

Prepare.
1. What are the implications of this “great salvation” for your daily life?

2. We have work to do – more than just our job – and all our work must be for the glory of God. How can we prepare each day for such a high and holy calling?

3. Have you mapped out your Personal Mission Field? If not, watch this brief video, download the worksheet, and get started bringing Christ’s great salvation and joy to your world.

Yet these statements ought also to be accommodated to our time, so that, although the Lord permits his Church, when it has fallen down, to lie long in ruins, and though there is no remaining hope of rebuilding it, yet we may strengthen our heart by these promises; for it is God's peculiar office to raise up and renew what had formerly been destroyed, and devoted as it were to eternal rottenness. John Calvin (1509-1564 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 60.4

Lord, I have work of restoration to do today, especially as I consider that…

Pray Psalm 96.
This psalm lends itself to thanksgiving and praying for revival. It also reminds us of our calling to be witnesses for Christ. Let it prepare you as a witness for the day ahead.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 96 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above)
Sing to the Lord! O, bless His Name! All nations tell His glory! 
Salvation’s tidings loud proclaim; let earth rehearse His story! 
For God is greatly to be praised; His throne above all gods is raised:
Fear Him, and sing His glory! 

All other gods are idols vain – the Lord created heaven.
Splendor and strength with Him obtain; to Him be glory given! 
All fam’lies, praise this mighty Lord! Give strength and glory to His Word: 
Exalt the Lord of heaven. 

Bring off’rings sweet to Him, our Lord, in holy garments praise Him! 
Tremble before Him, all the earth; among the nations raise Him! 
The earth is fixed, it will not move; the peoples will His justice prove:
Exalt the Lord and praise Him. 

Let heaven sing with lusty voice; let earth and sea sing sweetly! 
Let fields and trees in Him rejoice, for He is coming swiftly 
to judge the world in righteousness, the peoples in His faithfulness: 
He comes; exalt Him greatly!

T. M. Moore

How great is the salvation which is ours in Jesus Christ? Download the three installments of our free study, Such a Great Salvation, and learn for yourself (click here). Do you know that God has called you as a joy-bringer to your world? Our booklet, Joy to Your World!, can show you how to fulfill this calling (click here).

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).