What a privilege to participate in Jesus’ ministry. Paul and Barnabas were directed into ministry through Isaiah 49:6:
“… I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
This verse is not stand alone. How does Isaiah leads into this promise?
First the Lord polishes His arrow and conceals it.
2 .. he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
This arrow has to fly true first time and so it receives special attention. Other arrows enjoy their successes in the hunt, this one is polished. It seems a humiliating waste of time.
The Lord seeing the discouragement, speaks tenderly.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.”
The Lord gives hope that He will use this servant to display His splendour, however these seem vain words.
4 But I said, “I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Polishing is hard work, requiring labour for little visible result.
This frustration finally bears fruit through a change in attitude-
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
The surrender of desire to see the outcome. When content that his reward is with God, there is freedom to be used by the Lord without playing to the audience and wrecking the show.
Now the Lord begins to use His polished arrow!
The full Bible study can be found at Biblebase2adaringfaith