Isaiah 42:18-25 – Learn to nurture gratitude!

Comparing Christ Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant to Israel, the other servant of His, the latter had failed Him miserably. As a nation, she was chosen and called out from the nations to be God’s own people and to be His witness to the world. If she had been true and had remained faithful to her mission, she would have demonstrated the reality of the only true God to the world. But she had failed in her calling miserably.  The description of Israel, as God’s servant, in these verses showed us why they failed in their calling.  

As a nation, Israel and her people had lived in unbelief. So here God was addressing them. In verse 18 God called them to attention. He was admonishing them to see and carefully examine in order that they might be able to have a clear view of their distinct and unique calling. They were described as blind and deaf. Despite being so uniquely positioned in their relationship with God, these unbelieving people were not able to see and realize how privileged they were.

 

Exaggerating to prove a point, God said there was none so blind and deaf as Israel, His people. Despite the marvellous wonders God had done, all His attempts to communicate with them were futile. They did not respond positively but remained blind and deaf to His kind overtures. For His own righteous purpose,  God had provided the great Law to ensure that they could live right. They however, had been disobedient and indifferent to His love and had become victim of His judgment by their own design. They had forfeited themselves of the good plan God had for them. Hence, they became a people that had been robbed, plundered, and pillaged.  

 

In verses 23-25, Isaiah urged the people to pause and take stock of her present condition, and evaluate how they had gotten to this state. If only they would learn from the history of their chastening, they would be able to see how rebellious they had been to God and His graciousness. They had been thoroughly insensitive to Him though they had been so severely disciplined.

 

Be careful not to take the calling of God in our lives for granted. It is a privilege that we need to reciprocate with responsible action and living. We must take effort to make our calling sure. Taking time to reminisce how God had brought us through the challenges we face in life will help us to be grateful to Him. It will also make us more sensitive to Him and His goodness. In everything give thanks. Nurture gratitude, you will not regret it!