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We are reading in Isaiah Chapter 42 where Isaiah sees that Jesus will be gentle when it is necessary to be gentle – not weak! Remember this is being said to people who have been severely and sorely punished for their sins - because they would not listen - they would not repent - they would not pay attention to the prophets God sent them.

But when people do return to God and humbly repent, He is lovingly gentle and graciously merciful.

When a person comes to Him who is bruised - He will not break that person.

There are many bruised people around – we do not need to look far for them – we meet them every day. They are fragile – almost broken.

When faith is weak and almost on the point of disappearing - He will not snuff out the little bit of flickering that remains - He will fan it into a flame. The lamp has almost gone out – not out – but almost. Jesus can re-light the flame that has almost gone out.

In verse 4 there is this tremendous assurance that the work of this Servant will never fail. Jesus will not falter. Even when crucified and lying in that tomb Jesus was still right in the very centre of the Will of His Father.

Jesus will never be discouraged - even when people are betraying Him and denying Him three times in one night. Jesus would go through with all that His Father had sent Him to do – and this work of God will continue until JUSTICE is established - and we are called to co-operate with God in this massive task.

One day that will happen - don't doubt that. Jesus will do it.

God shows Isaiah, that He had called Israel to be a LIGHT to the Gentiles, but Israel had failed God - and now God is going to come and do something new - and He is going to have come Himself and do it.

We read of a dialogue between Isaiah and God – there will be judgment upon God’s land and God’s people – bringing darkness and pain – like a woman in childbirth – but then we hear of God’s mercy.

One challenge emerging from this passage is – will we give heed to God and pay attention to God’s Word? Will we listen to Jesus – God’s servant and God’s son?

The nation of Israel should have served God in certain positive ways - but they were not able to - so when this Servant comes, He will do these things - and Jesus did.

He is going to open the eyes of the blind - free captives from prison - and release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Jesus came and took these words of Isaiah and did exactly that. The anointed One brings so much and can do so much.

God was going to do something completely new - but before He did it, He announced it to His People.

Isaiah says - They will be singing to the Lord a new song - they be praising God for His Words and His Works - they will be rejoicing at what He is saying and what He is doing.

Verse 18 – He comes to heal eyes and ears.

Verse 22 – God’s people had been plundered – a thief had appeared.

Jesus came and fulfilled all this right down to the smallest detail. We see in this passage what He will do and how He will do it. Take a good look at HIM!

“Lord God, speak to us as we read these words in Isaiah and meditate upon their significance. Make their meaning clear but do even more than that – by Your Spirit transform us. Do a work of transformation where we need to be changed or healed or forgiven or refreshed and strengthened. May all this be very real as we bow in prayer and worship.” Amen.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Scoop I (1-26-11)