This Day in History: 0000-06-22

June 22 – Isaiah 49: 3-6 

He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, and you will bring Me glory.”
I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”
And now the Lord speaks – the One who formed me in my mother’s womb to be His servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to Him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength. He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” 

Do you ever feel like the one in this passage? Do you know God has claimed you as His own, and commissioned you to be His servant? Do you know your purpose is to bring Him glory, yet feel so completely inadequate? Even if you know exactly what He’s called you to, do you wonder how it will make any difference? I’m fairly certain we all feel like this most of the time. I know for sure that I do! I look at the pathetic pile of work I lay at His feet and think, “It seems so useless. So insignificant. What’s the point? Why does He even care if I do this or not?” When I start to feel like that, I will inevitably also feel my strength waning. I will feel spent, exhausted, and overwhelmed. Can you relate? 

Yet, this passage reminds us, it is the Lord who formed us. He is the one who fashioned us into the creation He intended. We are servants of the Most High King. Whatever He’s called us to, He uniquely designed us for exactly that purpose! No one else. Additionally, He doesn’t just leave us to accomplish His purposes in our own strength. He faithfully carries us through every moment of our lives, carefully equipping us in each moment for the task at hand.  

So let’s turn to Him for our strength! Let’s run and not grow weary. Let’s walk and not faint! Let’s soar upon the heights on wings like eagles as we place our trust in Him. Friends, let’s resist the urge to figure out the whys and the hows and just place our faith in His Sovereignty. Let’s leave it all in His very capable hands, walk in obedience to His call, and trust Him for our reward.