December 30, 2025 - Isaiah 49

    And now the LORD says,

he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,

      to bring Jacob back to him;

and that Israel might be gathered to him—

       for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD,

 and my God has become my strength—

        he says:

        “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant

to raise up the tribes of Jacob

and to bring back the preserved of Israel;

        I will make you as a light for the nations,

        that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (49:5-6)

The second of Isaiah’s “Servant Songs,” which tell of the coming Messiah and his ministry.  The Servant will certainly be concerned to lift up the faithful of Israel but his concern and his ministry do not stop at that people.  His salvation will extend over all the earth until those “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9) come into his kingdom and know his salvation.

Zion’s king shall reign victorious,

All the earth shall own His sway;

He will make His kingdom glorious,

He will reign through endless day. . . .

Nations now from God estrangèd,

Then shall see a glorious light,

Night to day shall then be changèd,

Heaven shall triumph in the sight . . .

Then shall Israel, long dispersèd,

Mourning seek the Lord their God,

Look on Him whom once they piercèd,

Own and kiss the chastening rod;

Then all Israel shall be savèd,

War and tumult then shall cease,

While the greater Son of David

Rules a conquered world in peace.   -- Thomas Kelly (1817)