Title: See Yourself Boldly
Isaiah (118) See yourself boldly (Isaiah 49:1-7)
<Have a strong sense of self>
In Isaiah there are four "Songs of the Servant of the Lord". The text is the second song. The theme of this song is "Israel was chosen to be a light to the Gentiles." The coming of the Messiah was already planned for the salvation of mankind (v. 1). And in due time the Messiah will reveal the glory of God (verses 2-3). Even if your hard work seems vain and futile at first, God will surely reward you according to what you sow. Therefore, leave the harvesting or revenge work to God.
How was the Messiah able to carry out the work entrusted to him? It was because he had a strong self-consciousness in God (verse 5). Live with such a strong sense of self-consciousness that God sent you to this earth to accomplish God's will. Then God will glorify him and become his strength. Humans are such a precious and valuable being, so why be pessimistic about life? Because they don't know their worth.
A young man said that he often wanted to die. But one day, I got a lover. Then the voice of wanting to die came in. Because they felt their worth. Then I got married and had a child. Then the sound of wanting to die disappeared even more, and instead, he often said, “I can’t die leaving this child!” It was because he recognized that he was the only one who would raise his own child with the love of agape among 7 billion people. At that time, realizing his own worth, he became a person who could never die.
Why are saints valuable? Because the owner is a precious person. Even trivial things become precious when their owners are precious. Even with the same inkstone, the inkstone used by King Sejong the Great is the most precious treasure. Even with the same knife, the knife that Admiral Yi Sun-sin used is a treasure, and the fountain pen Lincoln used with the same fountain pen is a treasure. It is not because the object itself is valuable, but because the owner of the object is valuable. The reason why the saints are so precious is because the owner of them is God.
<Look at yourself proudly>
Who is the most precious thing in the world? Children, parents, and wives are precious, but the most valuable is yourself. Matthew 16:26 says this. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his life?”
You are the best for yourself. Sometimes in life I see people feeling disappointed with themselves and saying, “People like me should die early!” Such remarks are serious blasphemy. Also, when someone prays, “God! Have pity on a human who is less than a worm!” he prays. Why is it that you are not as good as a worm? It's not humility. Excessive humility is rude.
How self-blame must the prodigal son be when he returns home? Even if he sees himself, he will kill him. It wasn't that he failed in business, and when he saw himself wasting his fortune while playing with a prostitute, he felt really pathetic and couldn't forgive himself. But how does the father greet him then? Welcoming them with joy and throwing a feast.
My view of me and my father's view of me are completely different. God still sees us as more valuable than the world. That is why Jesus was crucified for us. Some say: “Why doesn’t God bless me? Is it because I am worthless?” But don't be sad. Because in the cross of Jesus, all his worth has already been revealed.
See yourself as worthy and proud of yourself. Don't be fooled by yourself. The believer's life is focused on the future, not the present. The power of faith is manifested in the present, but it will be even stronger in the future. So, those who have a future are not afraid of failure. Acknowledge your worth now and never live in despair. God values Himself, and there is no reason to deny Himself. The fact that my life is still alive is proof that God needs me.