The lord

September 24

Isaiah 42-43

Psalm 106:19-27

Proverbs 23:19-21

I Thessalonians 1

The Lord

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.  ‘I am the Lord; that is my name!  I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.’” Isaiah 42:6-8 LSB

This passage describes the role of the coming Messiah.  Isaiah proclaimed that He would establish a covenant with the people as a mediator between God and man.  God had established a covenant with the people of Israel through Abraham and Moses, but the Messiah would establish a New Covenant.  It would be a covenant for all people given to the Jews first and then made available to the Gentiles.  God would use the Jews, those who believed and accepted Jesus, to bring His light to the nations.  The power of the Messiah in the life of those who believe is able to open eyes that are blind so that they can see spiritual truth and walk in the light of His presence.  He is able to set them free from the bondage of sin and darkness. Instead of crushing those who are weak and broken, He offers healing and gently restores them to new life. “I will take hold of your hand” is a comforting picture of His work in the life of the believer.  He leads and guides us on the right path.  He walks beside us to encourage and support us.  Holding hands is an expression of love.  We don’t hold hands with just anyone.  It is reserved for those we love and trust.  I hold my granddaughter’s hand to protect her in a parking lot and to show her care and affection.  I hold Brian’s hand when I need comfort, reassurance and connection.  I hold the hands of friends in prayer.  Holding hands is a sign of intimacy.  The New Covenant Jesus established provides connection and intimacy in a way that was not available before that.  Up until this point, access to God was only available through a priest.  At the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom symbolizing that access to God was now available to all who believed (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45).  Believers no longer need a priest to seek God on their behalf but can approach God with confidence on their own.  (Hebrews 4:16) 

Verse 8 is an important reminder that while the Messiah is gentle and loving, He is also Lord and we don’t need to forget it.  He is the only One worthy of our worship and praise.  He will not share His glory with anyone or anything.  He alone is worthy and He will not tolerate idolatry.  Anything that takes our focus off of Him should be eliminated from our lives.