Reflections for Lent

Isaiah 42:1-9 NRSV

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Make Me a Servant of the Lord

In this Old Testament teaching, Isaiah teaches us to be a servant of the Lord. He also foreshadows the life of God’s only son, who is the ultimate example of being the Lord’s servant through His words and deeds. 

Growing up in Grace, I was taught to live as Jesus did. So, how can we be servants like Jesus? I think the best way to live as Jesus did is to never miss the chance to do good. Jesus was a humble man and shocked people by associating Himself with the poor. He spent time with lepers, made friends with tax collectors, and shared a meal with the man who betrayed Him. 

Jesus worked miracles, but He also did simple things to show God’s love for others. Jesus shared His teachings with children and washed His disciple’s feet. These two simple acts of kindness may seem small, but they had a big impact on how people saw Jesus. How will you be a servant of the Lord today? How will you be like Jesus? 

WORDS TO REMEMBER: “I am the Lord, and I have called you in righteousness. I will hold You by the hand and watch over you, and I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those who dwell in darkness from the prison.” 

~Avery Ethun~ 

Dear God, Teach me to be Your servant. Help me never to miss the opportunity to help people in need and to show love to others who haven’t met You yet. Please bless those who need to be shown love and encourage them to be Your servants. I ask that You give me a chance to do good today and let me show Your love to others. In Your Son’s name, we pray, Amen.