December 29, 2025 - Isaiah 42

“Behold 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 aloud or lift up his voice,

    or make it heard in the street;

          a bruised reed he will not break,

    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;

    he will faithfully bring forth justice.

          He will not grow faint or be discouraged

    till he has established justice in the earth;

    and the coastlands wait for his law” (42:1-4).

This is the first of Isaiah’s four “servant songs,” all which are Messianic in their references.  Isaiah has just destroyed the idea that the idols are good for anything at all.  They are worthless.  They are but “empty wind.”  On the other hand, in his Servant God’s “soul delights,” and he is the true, and only, hope for the nations.  In contrast to ruthless human conquerors, the Lord’s quiet servant will not crush but will defend the weak.  He will persevere, and his will shall be fully accomplished when he shall establish justice in all the earth.

Come, Thou Almighty King,

help us Thy name to sing;

help us to praise:

Father, all glorious,

o'er all victorious,

come, and reign over us,

Ancient of Days.   –Charles Wesley (1757)