“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house” (Isaiah 42:6-7).
God was preparing the Israelites, so they could be a light to other nations. They were a covenant people to whom He gave the promise of a coming Messiah. The gospel would come “to the Jew first,” and they would then shine that light to the Gentiles. God planned that the Jews would be the first lights—piercing the darkness for those in the bondage of sin. They knew what it was like to be taken as captives and put in prison. The promise of the Messiah gave them great hope. To this day, the nation of Israel neither sees nor understands the role they played in fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah. The Israelites were looking for an earthly king instead of the King of Kings.
Many remain shackled in the prison of sin. We can be a light that leads them to the One who can set the captive free—no matter our origin or nationality.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for military men and women serving in difficult/dangerous areas of the world.
