Scripture Union Daily Guide 18 April 2024 (Thursday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: The Servant of the Lord
OPENING PRAYER
My dear heavenly Father, as I study your word, let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 49:1-13 (KJV)
1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE 18 APRIL 2024 MESSAGE
The servant of the Lord appears in the reading to be the nation of Israel but a careful scrutiny points to Christ as the person who fully fulfils all that the text promises. Observe the authority with which God’s servant speaks to the Gentile nations (vs.1-7). He was called from birth by God and prepared like a sharpened sword for the assignment. God will always qualify us for the service to which he designed for us. The Lord has equipped us with everything necessary to fight His battles against the powers of darkness, to conquer Satan, and bring back unbelievers to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Read vs.8-13 again. Notice how God’s Servant is assigned to bring Israel back to their chosen land. He shall provide for the comfortable passage of those whom He sets at liberty to the place of their rest and happy settlement. They were dispersed into several parts of the country of Babylon as their enemies pleased. But God’s time shall come to bring them home together. Those whom God guides shall find a ready road and all obstacles will be removed (v.11).
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank you, dear Lord, for the provision of all we need to serve the cause of your Kingdom.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Deuteronomy 28:2 ‐ 6
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 109 – 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Thursday Apr 18, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
THE WATCHMEN
On your walls, o Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord shall take no rest for yourselves.
Isaiah 62:6
THANK GOD FOR:
* The SU intercessors who align themselves to God in order to know the plan of God for their Groups, Zones, Areas, Regions and even at the National level
* The grace of God upon their lives
PRAY FOR:
* Enlargement of their coast as they continue to intercede for the Union
* Unity of purpose as they work hand in hand with the leadership in their various formations
PRAY AGAINST:
* Praying without understanding
* Distraction from praying due to other pressures that need their attention
