HANDS SET FOR GLOBAL IMPACT (2)

“I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness; and will HOLD YOUR HAND; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people…” – Isaiah 42:6a

Messianic prophecies about the chosen Servant of the LORD depict HANDS SET for GLOBAL IMPACT: “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness; and will HOLD YOUR HAND; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house (Isa.42:6-7). The chosen Servant who brought salvation to God’s people was none other than Jesus Christ. The first statement of the prophecy is that the LORD would actively HOLD the HAND of His Servant! The second pronouncement is that He would be God’s Gift to the world: “give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles” (v.6b).

The scripture does not say that the Servant will give God’s covenant to the nations, but that He, Himself, will be given as the covenant. Likewise, it does not say that He will share God’s light with the world, but that He Himself will be given as “a light for the nations.” God has given Jesus, Himself, as the Gift to all who believe in Him: “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isa.49:6b). Isaiah 52:10 declares: “The Lord has made bare HIS HOLY ARM in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Paul the apostle interpreted Isaiah 52:10 as a commandment: “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as aa light to the gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47).

Our Lord Jesus Christ personifies the fulfilment of prophesies: “I am the LIGHT of the WORLD. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (Jh.8:12). However, Jesus not only epitomises the reality of Hands Set for Global Impact, He has called believers to the same assignment – the Great Commission: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of ALL the NATIONS…” (Mt.28: 18-19a); “GO INTO ALL the WORLD and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk.16:15a).

Impact can be positive or negative; constructive or destructive. Making positive Impact implies being a plus not a minus; a contributor, not a parasite; a solution, not a problem; and a producer, not a mere consumer. It means affecting our world beneficially; making an enduring, eternal mark. Impact is not necessarily about worldly fame, fortune, or popularity; an overblown ego, celebrity status, or hollow heroism; being a social media influencer; or enjoying transient grandeur or ephemeral greatness. Impact can be silent, subtle, serene, and gracious.

The global begins at the local: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Every covenant child of God is divinely designed to be a Person of Impact. Salvation is a seal of distinction. Redemption guarantees a Life of Impact. We’re saved for temporal and eternal Impact:

“You are the SALT of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the LIGHT of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt.5:13-16). It’s time to step out, stand out, and occupy for the Lord, starting from our “Jerusalem” (Lk.19:13).