ECWA Short Daily Devotions Food for the Day

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

TEXT: Isaiah 49:1-13

1. Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.

2. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.

3. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

4. But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.”

5. And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him- for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength-

6. he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

7. Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

8. Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages,

9. saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out’ to those who are in darkness, ‘appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture;

10. they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind or sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.

11. And I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up.

12. Behold, these shall come from afar, and behold, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.”

13. Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

(English Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: CALLED BEFORE BIRTH

In most African cultures and other cultures of the world, it is believed that kingship is conferred on one by virtue of being born into royal family.

Today’s passage shows us that God’s servant was predestined and called to be God’s instrument even before his birth (v. 1). So, as a called servant, there is no need to complain or feel that you cannot do the work mapped out for you. You should know that you did not called your and that He who called you before your birth is able and will not allow you to struggle during the assignment.

God can make people pay attention to His servant because He chose him (vs. 4-13). God will take care of all of your struggles, restore any situation that needs restoring and bring you peace because He has called you.

QUESTION: Do you know that God chose you to be a Christian even before your birth?

PRAYER: Lord God Almighty, thank You for making me know that you called me even before my birth. Please, help me to hold on to You while carrying out the responsibility You have given me in Christ’s name, Amen.