Isaiah 42:9-19 (NIV)

1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the LORD says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
8 “I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”

Reflection:

We’ve often seen or experienced what it means for a generation to not understand different or new genres of music. It is almost a stereotype that teenagers listen to music that their parents can’t stand because it’s perceived as too loud or controversial. But as genres are accepted into the mainstream over time, they can go the opposite way and become too old fashioned to play anymore. Rock n’ roll music that was almost too wild to play on the radio many years ago is now relegated to the ‘oldies’ stations.

This Servant Song is a radically new ‘genre’ to the way life is lived. It is unlike anything that came before it. The Servant is utterly humble in His task of salvation, yet He will not stop until the whole world is transformed and knows His justice. Unlike music genres, the Servant Song never gets old and is always fresh and new for every generation. More than a ‘song’, it is the core of a genre of living that transforms the world.

Response:

May we experience the beauty and power of the Servant Song again and again. Let’s receive the Song afresh, hearing it as it is uniquely meant for us. Let’s pray that His Song would continue to transform our lives so we can participate in His plan of salvation for our generation. Let’s also ask the Lord that our families, co-workers, classmates, and neighbors would be open to receiving the beauty and the newness of the Song.