THE LORD CALLED
The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name (Isa. 49:1).
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-3).
HE GAVE ME HIS SPIRIT
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.(Isaiah 49:2)
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:4-5).
HE MADE ME A SERVANT FOR HIS GLORY
And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified" (Isaiah 49:3). This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:7,11-12).
I AM NOTHING WITHOUT HIM
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." (Isaiah 49:4)
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).
THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH
And now the LORD says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength (Isaiah 49:5).
HE SHALL VINDICATE HIS SERVANT
For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, and there is none remaining, bond or free (Deuteronomy 32:36). But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God. (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).
I WAS DRAWN INTO FRIENDSHIP WITH MY LORD JESUS
He says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6)
