Bible Society of South Africa

How to Live – Day 1

The Right Word.

Bible text(s)

Isaiah 50

The Obedience of the LORD's Servant

4The Sovereign LORD has taught me what to say,

so that I can strengthen the weary.

Every morning he makes me eager

to hear what he is going to teach me.

Isaiah 50:4GNBOpen in Bible reader

Isaiah 49

4I said, “I have worked, but how hopeless it is!

I have used up my strength, but have accomplished nothing.”

Yet I can trust the LORD to defend my cause;

he will reward me for what I do.

Isaiah 49:4GNBOpen in Bible reader

Isaiah 45

5“I am the LORD; there is no other god.

I will give you the strength you need,

although you do not know me.

Isaiah 45:5GNBOpen in Bible reader

Isaiah 45

2“I myself will prepare your way,

levelling mountains and hills.

I will break down bronze gates

and smash their iron bars.

3I will give you treasures from dark, secret places;

then you will know that I am the LORD,

and that the God of Israel has called you by name.

Isaiah 45:2-3GNBOpen in Bible reader

John 3

16For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

The nation of Israel was in exile in Babylon, and doubted whether God really cared for them, they even believed that he had severed the bond between them. Nothing could be further from the truth – God never breaks a covenant He makes with people!

Someone was needed to again remind the nation that God, unlike people, is not unfaithful. He was aware of the plight of his people. Isaiah was not speaking on his own behalf, but declaring: “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.”

Hardships and bad things happen to all people, also to believers, and that is when we need words of encouragement, comfort or hope – sometimes even rebuke. Empty words will not pierce the heart of weary people. Only words expressed from a heart full of love and sincerely shared, can bring encouragement and hope. But then it must be words soaked in truth and truthfully spoken.

It is no wonder the prophet wrote: “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary….” (Isaiah 50:4). Only God can inspire you to say the right word at the right time to a person whose life is in crisis – these words may possibly be the difference between life and death.

For those of you reading today, who in sackcloth and ashes are thinking: “‘I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all….” (Isaiah 49:4). His Word says: “Yet what is due to me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4b).

You are facing a task or instruction which you feel is beyond you. You feel incompetent and inadequate. Take then God’s words to Cyrus, to heart: “…I will strengthen you although you have not acknowledged me … I will go before you and level the mountains… I will give you hidden treasures stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45: 5,2-3)

For you who wonder if anyone loves you … Yes! The Sovereign God, your Creator loves you dearly: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Have you thought that he may also want to use you to give guidance to others? Let him teach you how.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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