Bring Justice to the Nations (Isaiah 42)

"I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth" (Isa 42:1,3,4).

This is the first of Isaiah's four Servant Songs, fulfilled in Christ. He is the servant of the Lord. He is God's alternative to our idols (Isa 41:22). He is not an abomination but a delight (Isa 42:1). He also stands in contrast with Cyprus the conqueror who "steps on people" (Isa 41:25b). But Jesus did not break a bruised reed nor snuff out a smoldering wick (Isa 42:3; Mt 12:15-21).

No Reason to Fear (Isaiah 41)

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you," declares the Lord, "and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel" (Isa 41:10, 13, 14, NASB).

Fear. If we are able to not fear about anything regarding our life and future, life would be such a happy, joyful and peaceful endeavor. But alas, fear arises in our hearts, often seemingly out of nowhere. We fear everything from vague uncertainties to an increasingly likelihood of a Trump presidency!

Starting Over on a New Day (Isaiah 40:1-11; 12-26; 27-31)

Isaiah 40: A New Day. A New Dawn. A New Beginning. Starting Over. Soar Like An Eagle.

Isaiah 40 begins a major new section of the book. Isaiah is no longer addressing Judah in his own day. He is being projected by the Holy Spirit out into the future, like the Apostle John in Revelation. He is looking into his prophetic crystal ball, so to speak, seeing a future day and declaring the gospel to the Jews languishing in Babylonian exile. He is saying to them and to us, "God has not abandoned you. Your best days are still ahead. God has a purpose of grace for you better than ever. He is coming to save you. Believe it, and let this hope fill your sails." [Ray Ortland]

The Motive and Means of Servanthood is Grace (Isaiah 40-55). The dominant idea of Isaiah 40-55 is the undeserved grace of God. This is what will motivate people to trust God, just as was intimated in Isaiah 12. When God delivers his people without any deserving on their part, they will at last be willing to cast themselves on him without reservation. If Isaiah 7-39 were about trust as the basis for servanthood, Isaiah 40-55 are about grace as the motive and the means of servanthood.

Confrontation, Consolation, Conquest (Isaiah 1-39, 40-55, 56-66)

Isaiah 1-66 in broad strokes

Chapters	1-39	40-55	56-66
Context	Assyrian invasion	Babylonian exile	Return from exile
Addressing	Sin Rebellion	Despair Hopelessness	Helplessness Weakness
God is the	King	Servant	Conqueror
Status	Unrighteousness	Righteousness	Righteous living
Tone / Thrust	Confrontation Conviction	Consolation Comfort	Conquest Character
Theme	Trust	Grace	Power

An Acts 20 Christian

Acts 20:17-38

1. Transparency: Always living transparently among people (Ac 20:18).
2. Humility: Serving God with humility and tears while severely tested (Ac 20:19).
3. Teaching: Preaching privately and publicly from house to house (Ac 20:20).
4. Basics: Everyone must turn to God in repentance and faith (Ac 20:21).
5. Confidence: No anxiety about not knowing what will happen in the future (Ac 20:22).
6. Fearless: No problem with facing prison and hardships (Ac 20:23).
7. Singular goal: Life's only aim of always testifying to the gospel of the grace of God (Ac 20:24).
8. Letting go: Able to let go of his disciples and not see them again (Ac 20:25).
9. Clear conscience: Innocent of not hurting others (Ac 20:26).
10. Thoroughness: Proclaiming the whole counsel of God (Ac 20:27).
11. Healthy introspection: Keeping watch over oneself and others (Ac 20:28).
12. Foresight: Aware of savage opposition toward the weak and vulnerable (Ac 20:29).
13. Betrayal: Betrayal and distortion of the truth from within (Ac 20:30).
14. Repetition: Repeated urgent constant daily warning to be on guard (Ac 20:31).
15. Entrusting to God: Not holding onto but committing others to God (Ac 20:32).
16. No covetousness: No coveting of what is desired (Ac 20:33).
17. Responsibility: Responsible to support oneself (Ac 20:34).
18. Industry: Working hard to help the weak (Ac 20:35a).
19. Self-giving: True blessedness is in giving, not receiving (Ac 20:35b).
20. Authenticity: Collective prayer, weeping, embracing and grieving (Ac 20:36-38).