Isaiah 42

Father, we give you praise today and thank you for the entrance of Your Word that brings light. As we meditate on Your Word, may Your light shine forth and in every area of our lives, by redeeming and restoring all that concerns us in the name of Jesus, Amen

Today's the LORD God's Word is from Isaiah 42:16 (NKJV)

"I will lead them in the paths which they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Today's lead Word is from Isaiah 42 and it shares a powerful reminder that the LORD will lead the blind to places and paths that they have not known before. It is important to remember that the word blind in Scripture is not limited to the physical defect of blindness but includes spiritual blindness. When one encounters the revelation of God's love found in Christ, it literally transforms their lives by grace expressed through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8). This revelation of Christ contains the power to transform one's spiritual life from darkness to light.

At the same time, this text also shows us that the blind the LORD is making reference to above are the blind whose hearts have not experienced His leading. This is not because God does not want them to experience the light for He desires for all men to be saved but rather He is limited by their faith.

In case you are wondering, your faith increases when you hear the Word of God. Romans 10:14 NLT reiterates this and shares, "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?"

In the gospel of Luke, is a story of a blind beggar in Jericho. As Jesus was passing by, this man relentlessly called onto Jesus to have mercy on him despite the people around him asking him to keep silent (Luke 18:35-40).

In Isaiah 42:1 the LORD God prophesied through the prophet Isaiah that Jesus is, "Behold! My servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." In Isaiah 42:3, the LORD God continues to say about His Son, "A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth."

When we consider the story of the blind beggar in Luke's gospel, we see the above prophecy fulfilled as Jesus did not and would never turn anyone away who wholeheartedly seeks Him and in this story, one who calls unto Him. I'm always fascinated that when Jesus met this beggar, He asked him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." (Luke 18:41-42 NKJV). You would think that Jesus would automatically heal him from his physical defect of blindness but no, Jesus asked him a question so that He would participate in conjunction with the man's faith and his will. And in Luke 18:42 NKJV, "Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."

When the blind man received his sight, he followed Jesus and gave glory to God (Luke 18:43). He did not return to his home after he received his healing, he followed Jesus - he allowed to be led by Jesus and friend that is where the true transforming power of God is found, in continually allowing yourself to be led by Jesus especially after you have been born again by receiving the salvation of Christ. This man's encounter with the healing power of Jesus healed him from both physical and spiritual blindness.

Thankfully, Jesus is still the same today just as He was then, so He promises to do more for you as well when you put your faith in Him and willingly surrender to be led by the LORD. As you do this, the LORD will make darkness light before you and the crooked places straight as seen in today's lead Word. He also promises to not forsake you as His presence will always be with you.

I'll end with this Word found in 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

"14.Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15.And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: When you receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as your Lord and Saviour, you have the privilege of having Jesus as Your Shepherd leading you in His light and making all the crooked places straight. This happens as a result of surrendering your life in faith to Christ where you choose to become born again. This means all your sins are forgiven, washed away and you receive the free gift of eternal life and every blessing of God found in Christ.

If this sounds like you, please repeat this prayer after me;

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever. Thank you Father that because the Son has made me free, I am now free indeed." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.