1“Here is my servant. I take good care of him.  I have chosen him. I am very pleased with him.

I will put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.

2He will not shout or cry out. He will not raise his voice in the streets.

3He will not break a bent twig. He will not put out a dimly burning flame.

He will be faithful and make everything right. 4He will not grow weak or lose hope.

He will not give up until he brings justice to the earth. The islands will put their hope in his teaching.”

5God created the heavens and stretches them out. The Lord spreads out the earth with everything that grows on it. He gives breath to its people. He gives life to those who walk on it. He says to his servant,

6“I, the Lord, have chosen you to do what is right. I will take hold of your hand.

I will keep you safe. You will put into effect my covenant with the people of Israel.

And you will be a light for the Gentiles.

7You will open eyes that can’t see. You will set prisoners free. Those who sit in darkness will come out of their cells.

8“I am the Lord. That is my name! I will not let any other god share my glory. I will not let statues of gods share my praise.

9What I said would happen has taken place. Now I announce new things to you.

Before they even begin to happen, I announce them to you.”

10Sing a new song to the Lord. Sing praise to him from one end of the earth to the other.

Sing, you who sail out on the ocean. Sing, all you creatures in it. Sing, you islands.

Sing, all you who live there.

11Let the desert and its towns raise their voices. Let those who live in the settlements of Kedar be glad. Let the people of Sela sing for joy. Let them shout from the tops of the mountains.

12Let them give glory to the Lord. Let them praise him in the islands.

13The Lord will march out like a mighty warrior. He will stir up his anger like a soldier getting ready to fight. He will shout the battle cry. And he will win the battle over his enemies.


1. Historical context

2. Chosen by God

3. Praise the Lord


1. Historical context

§ Asures of the coming messiah – saviour

9What I said would happen has taken place.

Now I announce new things to you.

Before they even begin to happen,

I announce them to you.”

§ Mentions the reason why Jesus came; 

 7You will open eyes that can’t see.

You will set prisoners free.

Those who sit in darkness will come out of their cells.

§ - Matthew 4:14-16.


2. Chosen by God

§ We are chosen in Christ Jesus, God is faithful, we can trust him.

 

1“Here is my servant. I take good care of him.

I have chosen him. I am very pleased with him.

I will put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.

4He will not grow weak or lose hope.

He will not give up until he brings justice to the earth.

The islands will put their hope in his teaching.”

§ If family, friends, Society loses hope in you, God still cares!

§ Your life has meaning and a purpose! 

§ God has a purpose for your life!

6“I, the Lord, have chosen you to do what is right.

I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you safe.

You will put into effect my covenant with the people of Israel.

And you will be a light for the Gentiles.

7You will open eyes that can’t see. You will set prisoners free.

Those who sit in darkness will come out of their cells.


Personal experience


Discussion:

Have you ever felt discouraged or lost hope?

How can you find strength and take courage in God's Word?


3. praise the Lord

10Sing a new song to the Lord. Sing praise to him from one end of the earth 

to the other. Sing, you who sail out on the ocean.

Sing, all you creatures in it. Sing, you islands. Sing, all you who live there.

11Let the desert and its towns raise their voices. Let those who live in the settlements of Kedar be glad. Let the people of Sela sing for joy. Let them shout from the tops of the mountains.

Four reasons to praise the Lord; 

§ 1. Gratitude

10Sing a new song to the Lord.

Sing praise to him from one end of the earth to the other.

Sing, you who sail out on the ocean. Sing, all you creatures in it.

Sing, you islands. Sing, all you who live there.

§ 2. testemonies – Paul and Silas

§ 3. Joy – deal with stress

11Let the desert and its towns raise their voices.

Let those who live in the settlements of Kedar be glad.

Let the people of Sela sing for joy. Let them shout from the tops of the mountains.

§ 4. victory over evil – the devil. 

13The Lord will march out like a mighty warrior.

He will stir up his anger like a soldier getting ready to fight.

He will shout the battle cry. And he will win the battle over his enemies.


Discussion

Is there anything in your life you can thank God for this year?

What is it?