“I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
Isaiah 43:6-7
Everything that is made is made for a reason. The usefulness of something is determined by its ability to fulfill what it was made it do. In this passage we learn that Israel was made by God for the glory of God. This passage is promising freedom from a captivity that was yet to come. It also has the wider prophetic scope of announcing a national gathering of Israel under their reigning Messiah. The first part has come to pass, and our Lord receives all the glory for it. We await joyfully for the fulfillment of the second part in the Millennium. But this passage forces us to consider, “what was I made for?” To answer, “bring glory to God” is true, yet simplistic. We should allow the Word to challenge us deeper. The real question to ask is, “what was I made to do, that brings glory to God.” To find that the life of Christ pleases the Father, and that He wants to live through me, should be enough for me. I was made to have the Son of God living in me. Jesus did not save me so that I could go on living my own dreams. Jesus has redeemed my fallen being, so that I can finally do what brings glory to my maker! Jesus came to seek and to save those that were lost. Oh to die to self and allow this life giving work to continue through me.