Suggested Date: December 26th
The prophet Isaiah gives us a glimpse of the “servant of the Lord” who is going to bring justice and hope.
Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-7
1“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them
out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs
from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “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,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in
darkness.
digging deeper
1. Who is the passage talking about?
2. What qualities make the servant of the Lord special?
3. What do you see as the biggest problem in the world today? How are you comforted by knowing that God is in control and will ultimately bring justice?
4. Where do you put your hope?
wrap-up
God has a plan, and His plan is to bring justice to this broken world. Take comfort that the “Creator of the
heavens” sent His Son to bring justice and hope to all people.
respond in worship
“God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s
pow’r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy”
respond in prayer
Lord, we pray for justice in our world. Sometimes it seems like an impossibility, but we know that You
can accomplish anything. Thank you that You will eventually “establish justice in the earth” (v. 4), and will You please show us how we can be a part of it? Amen