Promise in the Prophets 98: Glorious in the Lord

Isaiah 49:5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.

This is a prophecy about the Servant, the Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. He shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and His God shall be His strength. This Servant was formed from the womb of the Virgin Mary to bring the people of God back to Him. The purpose of the Virgin Birth was that God should become a human being, so that in His Person He could died for the sins of the people to redeem them from Sin, Death, and the Devil. He will bring us back to God where we belong.

We who believe in Jesus Christ are viewed in the same way. By faith, we also will be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and God will be our strength. At Jesus’ Baptism and Transfiguration He was declared by the Father to be His Son, in whom He is well pleased: He is glorious. Listen to him: hear the Gospel of Jesus and be glorified in Him. This declaration is startling: “I am glorious to the Lord.” The Father is well pleased with me; the Lord delights in me; and I am glorious. I reflect the glory of the Lord in my body; and it looks like love. It is the love of God for people.

The second promise is that my God will be my strength. I am weak, but according to the promise I don’t need to be strong. The Lord Himself, and the joy of the Lord, is my strength. In Christ, I am strong to overcome the Enemies who are at war with my soul, to destroy me. For me Christ has defeated all enemies and His resurrection guarantees for me the victory. In this way, the Servant has served me. Implicit in this prophecy is that He promises that I shall be glorious and strong all the days of my life and forever. I don’t see it, but I believe it.