Friday August 23

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

The Right Way (16)—Healing, Recovery, Restoration

Israel, the servant-son of the Lord (see Ex. 4:23), had become unfaithful, even blind. Their condition of hardening made them unsuitable to be God’s servant. When the fullness of time came, God sent His own Son to take that role, and He did so to God’s full satisfaction. He was God’s true chosen Servant, even though His people rejected Him. He remained faithful and obedient—in life and unto death. Then, the righteous Servant died for His people’s unrighteousness, despite their utter rejection of Him.

During the day of grace, the Lord has recruited a whole army of servants who follow the unique, faithful Servant. After the rapture of the Church, in God’s marvelous ways, many in Israel will turn to Him. We may apply today’s verse to the saved ones of the day of grace, but it refers to those among Israel who will submit to Messiah’s claims. They will turn away from the false shepherds and leaders, for God will open the eyes of the blind. He will lead them in paths they did not know, turning their darkness into light.

Just as John the Baptist proclaimed, He will make straight what was crooked. God’s faithfulness will not forsake them, even though they had forsaken Him! “They shall come with weeping, and with supplications” to be led by Him. He “will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble” (Jer. 31:9). Amazing! “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go’” (Isa. 48:17). He will make all things well!

Alfred E. Bouter