Receiving Messiah's Wages

Scripture:
See, the Lord God comes with strength,
and his power establishes his rule.
His wages are with him,
and his reward accompanies him.
Isaiah 40:10

Observation: Taken in hole as a Messianic prophesy, Isaiah 40 defines the amazing truth about the purpose of Messiah. This verse specifically addresses the fact that the Messiah delivers with him the "reward" for faith. All other rewards from the Lord - both before and after - are a secondary outpouring of his love, but the reward brought with and through the Messiah is special. That reward is eternal life with God, found in faith to Messiah.

Application: In total, today I read this chapter in a new way and new understanding. It so well defines many, many elements of Jesus' coming and mission. Verse 3 is often applied to John the Baptist as herald of the Messiah's coming, but even before, verses 1-2 declare that the arrival of Jesus also fulfills Israel's mission ... it is the delivery of Messiah to redeem all mankind for which the Abrahamic covenant existed. The messages then delivered throughout chapter 40 are amazing. The Messiah will:

-- Reinforce the permanence of God's word

-- Bring good news

-- Literally present God to the entire world

-- Protect mankind as the good shepherd

-- Give new direction to the Holy Spirit

-- Prove more real than manmade idols

-- Become the judge of all nations

-- Make the way of God fully known and seen

-- Uphold the endurance of even the old and young and powerless

In all of this, Jesus brings a reward for me. His rule is established, and by following that rule I receive my wages ... a heavenly home. Yes, this requires endurance, but the Lord gives us that endurance by his spirit. Yes, this requires reverence, but the Lord clearly shows his worthiness as the almighty creator of the universe. Yes, this requires faith, but the Lord gave Jesus as my caretaker in whom I can have faith.

Prayer: Lord, you are wonderful and powerful and just and merciful and loving and strong. I praise you in my heart, and with my voice, and by my acts. Holy, holy, holy are you, Lord God almighty. In faith to Jesus I declare you to be my Lord and my God, knowing your promises are sure, your ways are good, and your purposes are wonderful. Amen, and amen.