Swords and Arrows

Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me.

You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!

It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:1-6)

The prophet Isaiah speaks of his charge – his responsibilities given to him by God, and they are grand and challenging.  It began in the womb where Isaiah said God formed him.   We all began in the womb, so what are our charges as God’s servants?

We are to be sharp-edged swords cutting through misinformation, propaganda, and lies.  We duel with many others whose swords are sowing distrust and hate.  From the shadow of the LORD’s arm, we are to cut it all open to reveal hypocrisy and fear.

We are to be polished arrows found in the LORD’s quiver.  With the LORD taking aim we are to target those whose faith is failing or has failed to remind them that they are to bring light to those in darkness.  Through baptism they were formed because they received the light of Christ to be kept shining brightly.

We are all Isaiah.  God is our strength needed to pull the bow flying us to where we need to be – with those in need of love and of a reminder that they are precious to GOD who formed them in the womb.

Deacon David Pierce