ESOCS Devotional 30 December 2024 – Light Your World
MEMORY VERSE: “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.”Isaiah 49: 6 KJV
TEXT: ISAIAH 49:1–6
“Listen, O coastlands, to Me,
And take heed, you peoples from afar!
The Lord has called Me from the womb;
From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.
2 And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword;
In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me,
And made Me a polished shaft;
In His quiver He has hidden Me.”
3 “And He said to me,
‘You are My servant, O Israel,
In whom I will be glorified.’
4 Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;
Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord,
And my work with my God.’ ”
5 “And now the Lord says,
Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,
To bring Jacob back to Him,
So that Israel is gathered to Him
(For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord,
And My God shall be My strength),
6 Indeed He says,
‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
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Light cannot be anything other than what it is. It’s bright; it dispels darkness; it enables people to see what they are doing. God is light, and since He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside believers, so are we. As His ambassadors on earth, we shine even when we don’t know it.
In our text today, God calls the servant, Israel, to a new task: to be a light to the nations. God’s plan has always been to gather His own through His servant. This servant comes so that God’s people can enjoy a restored relationship with God. He is worthy of honour because God is his strength. As we read this passage, we rejoice because we understand that in Christ God is now our strength.
Christ’s words and actions showed the true nature of the world around Him. Christ-followers give light to those around them by doing and saying what Jesus did. By growing in relationship with Jesus every day, following Him step by step, we partner with Him in spreading the truth.
Jesus told His followers to “Let your light shine before others,” calling them to live in active faith, not a passive one. Put your light on its stand. Your circumstances are an opportunity to shine brightly for the Lord and to share God’s overcoming truth with those around you. Your family and community can tell what you believe by how you live.
Do you live in the Light that is Christ? If you already live in the light, ensure you light your world through your character, conversation and lifestyle. Let your manners point others to the light in Christ Jesus. The word of God must extend to all people. Find your way to fulfill your purpose of bringing God glory by taking the gospel to the people in your sphere of influence.
- What is your task as a member of God’s restored people?
- Father, give me grace to be a light to all around me and bring glory to your name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 40:12–26; John 10: 21–end; I John 3:1-10
ESOCS Devotional 30 December 2024
