Isaiah 49:4 (and around it)

I did the half marathon in Sugar Land Sunday. It was cool and wet. It's hard not to get all wet despite using DW's parka. But my time ended up the same as usual, an 18 minute mile.

Today I got a severe experience in what I blogged about yesterday. It is so much easier to feel confident in my love of God than it is to feel confident in my love of people. I sure had to struggle to love some people today. I really did try my hardest.

I am especially struck by Isaiah 49:4. This was a scripture read last night at the evening service which I attended.

Isaiah 49:1-8 (CEV) Everyone, listen, even you foreign nations across the sea. The LORD chose me and gave me a name before I was born. (2) He made my words pierce like a sharp sword or a pointed arrow; he kept me safely hidden in the palm of his hand. (3) The LORD said to me, "Israel, you are my servant; and because of you I will be highly honored." (4) I said to myself, "I'm completely worn out; my time has been wasted. But I did it for the LORD God, and he will reward me." (5) Even before I was born, the LORD God chose me to serve him and to lead back the people of Israel. So the LORD has honored me and made me strong. (6) Now the LORD says to me, "It isn't enough for you to be merely my servant. You must do more than lead back survivors from the tribes of Israel. I have placed you here as a light for other nations; you must take my saving power to everyone on earth."

It is a hard verse to totally understand. In other versions it is less clear. I think that is often our cry. We feel what we have done is for the Lord and yet we can see little fruit. And yet we trust that God is faithful. He will reward me.

Isaiah 49:4 (BBE) And I said, I have undergone weariness for nothing, I have given my strength for no purpose or profit: but still the Lord will take up my cause, and my God will give me my reward.

But I just love how this verse is preceded and also what follows. It is preceded by Isaiah proclaiming his identity. He is chosen by God for his mission.

I think we can take that scripture and own it for ourselves. God has called us and preordained for good works and for salvation as our reward. Let us rejoice.

Then after Isaiah confesses his insecurity God reaffirms and states that his mission is even bigger than he can imagine. God is calling him not only for Israel but for all the nations. I think that is beyond Isaiah's comprehension.

I think God has similar plans for us. We often do not know how he is using our puny efforts.