BC Devotion #12 – Isaiah 42: New Things

It is amazing to realize, while exploring the words of Isaiah written two and a half millennia ago, that as followers of Jesus in the present day we can be instructed and inspired by these same words. When he talks about “new things,” would they not be very old by now? Or is the theme of newness meant to characterize an ongoing part of our walk with God?

“Those who hope in the Lord will gain new strength.” (40:31) “Let the peoples gain new strength.” (41:1) “Now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” (42:9) “Sing to the Lord a new song.” (42:10) “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth.” (43:19)

From the context of chapter 42 (also Matthew 12), the commentary about the “new things” that God will do through his Servant includes ... “He will bring forth justice to the nations … He will not be disheartened or crushed, until he has established justice in the earth.” (42:1,4)

What does this look like? The prophet provides details. (1) He will not cry out or raise his voice nor make his voice heard in the street. (2) A bruised reed he will not break. (3) A dimly burning wick he will not extinguish. (4) He will be a covenant to the people, a light to the nations. (5) He will open blind eyes. (6) He will bring out prisoners from the dungeon, those who dwell in darkness from the prison. (42:2-7)

We touched on this previously – these words are difficult to understand. What is a bruised reed? What is a smoldering wick? I understand them to be broken, damaged, or failing instruments that would in most circumstances be thrown out. The reed was a common household implement, like a stalk or a rigid weed. When it is damaged, throw it out. The wick was part of a lamp. When it approaches the end of its usefulness, snuff it out. Get a “new” one.

But the prophet points out that what men discard, God values, restores, and renews. And he does so humbly, quietly, and persistently. In a single thought, the prophet portrays the concern of the Servant of the Lord for the broken individual as well as for the nations – assuring us that “he will not be disheartened or crushed until he has established justice in the earth.”

BC Devotion # 11 - Servant of the Lord

"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." (Isaiah 42:1 / Matthew 12:18) Is there a more awesome verse in the Bible than this? There is more, and it's not easy to understand. ..

"He will not cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on the earth. In his law the islands will put their hope / In his name the nations will hope." (Isaiah 42:2-4 / Matthew 12:19-21)

We will continue to explore these ideas, especially "justice." I encourage you to meditate on the meaning of this passage in light of the ministry of Jesus. What is "a bruised reed?"

BC Devotion #10 - Ministry and Meeting Needs

In our context of ministry, the task of creating a pathway out of the rough places and the rugged terrain must connect with the circumstances that people face in impoverished communities and the ministries that have proven to be effective in helping people overcome these challenges.

While we must remain grounded in the fundamental emphasis on the message of the gospel - God’s good news of salvation from sin by grace through faith, Scripture also validates our concern for the specific practical circumstances that people face. Jesus emphasized his concern for the poor, the downtrodden, the blind and the captives, those who are hungry, thirsty, sick or naked, lonely or in prison. The prophets expresses God’s concern for the weak and the sick, the injured, the lost, the scattered and the oppressed.

The writings of those who focus on impoverished urban neighborhoods note conditions including poor health care and higher infant mortality, lack of prenatal health, inaccessibility of quality child care, hunger, poor educational resources, high drop-out rate, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, gang culture, high rates of incarceration, lack of jobs or of higher wage jobs, poor housing, negligent landlords, racism, racial and ethnic segregation, broken families and children without parents.

Ministries that churches and Christian organizations have utilized include: Family health center or medical clinic, prenatal care ministry, daycare center, children’s ministry, tutoring and after school programs, recreational programs, youth services cooperative, youth leadership development, study center, Bible school, food distribution, clothing distribution, addiction recovery ministry, homeless shelter, homeless meals, showers and laundry, hospitality house for volunteers, nonprofit housing cooperative, housing rehabilitation, mortgage company for the poor, legal cooperative, job placement program, community owned cooperative or business, and ministries of racial or ethnic reconciliation.

I provide these lists as food for thought, as fuel for creative thinking about ministry. What are the needs in our community? What ministries are available, and what ministries are lacking? And what kind of ministry do you have a passion for?

Sources:
Isaiah 40-41, Ezekiel 34, Luke 4, Matthew 25
David Hilfiker, Urban Injustice, pp. XII, XV, 19
Charles Marsh, Beloved Community, pp. 179, 191, 199
John M. Perkins, Beyond Charity: The Call to Christian Community Development, pp. 35-53

Breakfast Club Devotion #9 – Isaiah 41 – “God Creates Ministry”

I closed the last meditation with reference to the end of Isaiah 40, as a hint to remind us of that most awesome and well known passage in Isaiah, that “Those who wait on / hope in the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Though it is easily overlooked, this passage maintains a theme from Isaiah 40 - that of God (and the people of God) preparing a way or a pathway in the midst of difficult circumstances. Here, encouragement extends to the weary, the tired, to one who lacks might, even to vigorous young men who stumble badly.

In Isaiah 41 we find a beautiful poetic passage which once again reaches out to those in desperate circumstances … “The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst.” And the awesome response from God, “I the Lord, will answer them myself.” Wow! But what does this mean for the thirsty ones, and for those of us who desire to be in the movement of God in this world? It means that God creates ministry to meet the needs of people, and we his people want to be a part of that creative work.

The poetic imagery of this passage (41:17-20) continues the themes of Isaiah 40, including references to the bare heights, the valleys, the wilderness, the dry land and the desert. The life giving work of God is represented in these places by rivers, springs, pools and fountains, and a variety of trees including the cedar, the olive, the box tree and the cypress, even the pine!

The work of God in dry places is a testament to his character, love and goodness, “That they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight ... that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.” In the context of people and relationships, I take this to mean that God is creating ministry, and I want to be a part of this creative work.

Soon I will share with you from my readings in the area of community ministry, information about the negative forces at work in impoverished communities, and the many different types of ministries that people engage in to bring love and life to these communities. My prayer is that we will recognize the hand of God in new ministry strategies that he will reveal in our lives.