Opening Prayer
Lord, let the Word that You will now speak to us strengthen our faith. Amen.
Text: Isaiah 42:1–4
“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
Devotion
The spirit in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ is powerful, victorious mercy. Since He took our sins on Himself and made our cause His own and answered all our accusers, we have to deal only with Him. He treats us according to His own saving heart and does not give up before He has healed us and accomplished our salvation. He will save all who follow the call of the Gospel, from all people from north to south, no matter how mistreated they are by the devil. Even if our faith is the very weakest, yet He will not reject us. “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench.” So we read here, and so we find Him at all times. How often haven’t we felt just like that and lamented, and then found comfort and help. He has become the Servant of the Lord and is anointed just for this: with gentleness to help the afflicted. How carefully He takes us in His hand, how gently He treats us, how patiently He continues, although it seems we are just as afflicted after a long trial! The bruised reed must still become whole and strong. Faith in our heart must become powerful and courageous. But it is fragile and weak and would break right away if His hand, which is gentleness itself, did not hold us. The smoking flax ought to become a flame, yes, blaze as high as heaven in the free, pure air of grace. But it smokes and smokes and almost goes out. Yet He continues to pour in oil and keep the spark lit that it might become a real fire. He will not let us go before the victory is won forever. And as He thus saves us as individuals, He upholds and perfects His kingdom. “He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
You servants of the Lord, lead on and bring forth justice for the poor! Israel is one with their Lord, and He says to them: “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord… Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it” (Isa 42:6, 7, 5). “I the Lord have spoken. If you think your works are in vain, He has established justice in the earth; I will make darkness light before them” (Isa 42:4.16).
Closing Prayer
We praise You, Lord, we praise the glory of Your name and pray for grace to believe in You, serve You, and honor You forever. Amen.
Hymn
A Hero out of David’s line,
A Savior true I name you mine;
You are my heart’s most glorious crown;
Through You eternal life I own,
Redeemed by Your dear cross and blood,
Poured out for me, my Lord and God.
The treasure Yours, You give to me;
What greater riches can there be?
Therefore I praise You from my heart
And give You thanks in ev’ry part
And pray that You forever be
Gracious and merciful to me!
Søll: Trofaste Herre Jesu Krist L 562:3-4 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Vater unser (ELH 383); alternate hymn: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed ELH 103:1