Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:1-25, Isaiah 43:1-28, Isaiah 44:1-23, Matthew 20:25-28
My dad spent some of his formative years in northern California before his family moved back to Tennessee. For years, he talked about going back for a visit, but he never took the time. Recently, my son and I conspired to make his dream come true. After more than seven decades, he finally returned for a visit.
Before the trip, the three of us spent a lot of time talking and planning. Along with getting the plane tickets and the hotel reservations, we also thought about how the trip might play out. My dad even reached out to a friend he had known as a boy. The man still lived in the area and could show us around the city. As the trip drew closer, the excitement and the anticipation grew.
Of course, reality often fails to measure up to our expectations. We build up an event or an experience in our minds to such an extent that nothing could match the hype in our heads. As a result, we walk away disappointed.
Thankfully, our reality in northern California exceeded our expectations. In fact, my dad proclaimed the visit with his friend “the best day I’ve had in a long time.”
That was enough for me.
I think about that as I read Isaiah 42. Long before, God had promised that He would send a Messiah to rescue His people. For centuries, they had been waiting for Him to fulfill His Word. Through ups and downs as a nation, the anticipation of the coming Messiah was the glue that held them together and gave meaning to their lives.
With Isaiah as His mouthpiece, God continued to share His plans with His people. He painted a vivid picture of the Messiah and what life would be like once He came to set the people free. He would be filled with God’s Spirit and committed to accomplishing God’s plan. In some ways, He would be larger than life, and He would meet Israel’s deepest needs.
In truth, God could never build up the arrival of the Messiah too much. After all, nothing He ever promises falls flat. He always comes through, so the Messiah would be no different.
God wanted His people to live in expectation. He wanted them to get excited and to lean into the hope He was providing. If they did, they wouldn’t be disappointed.
The same is true for us today. Of course, the Messiah (Jesus) has come, and He has fulfilled everything God said He would do. And He exceeded expectations, doing all things well (just see Mark 7:37).
But just because we live on this side of the cross doesn’t mean that God has stopped working in the lives of His people. We still need the Messiah, and we still experience how His work goes beyond anything we could ever imagine. Jesus completed His mission on the cross, and He will keep transforming us until we see Him face to face.
As always, He will exceed our expectations.
Written by Bob Bunn
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36 thoughts on "The Servant’s Mission"
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In amongst the calling out, there is such a comfort and encouragement in these chapters. He is with us through it all, he leads, he guides, He protects and he’s making a way- just stay close. I heard a fantastic sermon this past Sunday with the take away to reflect on and ask this question:
What new thing are you looking for the Lord to do?
‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’ Isa 43:19
I fully admit I’m in an ongoing struggle with finding “the new” thing. My life has changed so much in every way – every part, every piece, every rhythm of my day, every relationship has been altered because I was hit with a health crisis. The grieving of what was, is almost always present and it’s hard to look for the new when I still really just want who I was before, back. But, I do also see the Lord working and trust that He is refining me in it all. Heavenly Father, show me the new thing. Amen
“Do not remember the past events; pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Praise God! May we turn from the difficulties and disappointments of the past and look forward to the new life God has for us!
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Did anyone else have a study book that has missing pages and out of order days? I am hoping it’s just mine but was so confused when I couldn’t find the reading for today!
Mine was missing pages too and had duplicates of days. It took me forever to figure out what was going on haha.
Same! I actually did the wrong day at first. It looks like mine is messed up on future days as well so now I know to check the app. Sent an email so hopefully they will replace the book
I can’t wait to have my already wild expectations exceeded! Kingdom come, Lord Jesus!
Amen! Jesus will always be more than we could ever ask for!
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Amen! Come Lord Jesus, Come!
God wanted His people to live in expectation. He wanted them to get excited and to lean into the hope He was providing. If they did, they wouldn’t be disappointed.
The same is true for us today.
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Thank you, BOB BUNN, for this heart tugging devo!
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Ephesians 3
19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Amen.Cee, Amen.
Good Evening Shes
With gratitude to the SRT team who got “the show” – Day 26 – up & running before day’s end. Gee, did I miss the daily rhythm of it all!
And immense gratitude to the Prophet Isaiah in delivering a very hard up & down message. The whiplash of condemnation & comfort!
Evil while rampant, will be vanquished.
Hard times will not last forever.
A Savior will come. Quietly. Humbly.
My post thismorning on HRT went into moderation
But, I took a screen shot before I posted it so here it is:
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“He will exceed our expectations.” Yes and Amen, Mr. Bunn.
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In some ways, one can understand why the people in Jesus’ day had different expectations of what the Messiah would do, especially after today’s reading. But they were only focusing on the deliverance and not the suffering (as humans do).
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LAUREN GARZA – happy wedding day!
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MARI V – happy birthday plus 2 days.
I jotted mine down since it was short. I never expected moderation, but glad I was prepared! ❤
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Praise God! So excited about what Jesus did and will do for us.
My heart is full and thankful today.
Much Love Hugs & encouragement to my sisters here ❣️
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Everything always turns out for the good for those who follow after God. The in between may be hard, but we can trust that we have a glorious future!!
There are so many things to unpack in these long chapters of Isaiah. But a few things that stood out to me:
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1. how God said that he would frustrate the diviners. Aren’t we living in the time that teaches people to embrace witchcraft? (the musical wicked soo praised and talked about), the spell books/journals that are sold in major bookstores on prominent shelves, and witches are considered normal and even being flaunted with many crystals and different “healing” energies from the universe, and new age practices are considered the way to experience new spirituality. But here, in the Bible, today, hallelujah, the Lord says, “I am the Lord, who made all things…who spread out the earth by Myself, who frustrates the signs of liars, and makes fools of DIVINERS, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge FOOLISH”. Isaiah 44:25. Let it be done Lord. Please don’t allow the mixture of witchcraft to permeate the society and even the church to lead many to destruction.
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2.“Who gave up Jacob to the looter, and Israel to the plunderers?” Isaiah 43:24. I read this I cannot feel such pain and compassion for the nation of Canada. We were given up to the hands of looters, to steal and loot resources, to put cap on production, from within. Please pray for Canada that a righteous election and fair voting opportunities be given to the people. It is coming in April and may the righteous prime minister be voted in by the people, fair and square.
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FOSTER MAMA: praying for such tragic situation. May the Lord give you strength. Let not your heart be troubled, trust in God and He will turn evil things around for good.
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Be blessed dear sisters.
Once again, your concerns are mine as well. Witchery has been made popular and seemly harmless. But very dangerous, as are crystals and evil eyes, and horoscopes. New age spiritually is very deceptive as Michelle has shared her experience. It is very common for gen z’s. As Christians we need to be discerning and not give a footstool.
Thank you ♥️ so much, my dear.
Please do continue to pray please
Praise God that He sent us Jesus to save us all! Including our prodigals who are still His. “…And I will pour My Spirit on your descendants and My blessing on your children.” Isaiah 43:3
Prayers please for my son, Victor. May He give him a new life, a new way through this dark wilderness he lives in. A safe place to live by 4/1 and a good job. Healing for his mental illness (primarily anxiety, depression, ADHD and any form of addiction). Complete reconciliation with his dad.
Thank you sisters!
Will be praying for your son. ❤️
Good to see you here Aleida. Prayers for Victor and your family relations.
Continued prayers Aleida.. when YOU keep the faith, the trust, the Hope, your family are in your hands, and you are in Gods hands. You areALL covered under His mighty wing..God is near in all circumstances.
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Continuing prayers! Have missed you!
So love these passages. Such a beautiful Gift, our Lord Jesus Christ is! Cannot even begin to put into words how Magnificent He is! The Promised One to Israel. And here we are, on this side of the Cross, He was promised to us as well. We love Him, because He first Loved us.
Amen!!!