Isaiah 42:6-7 I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

This verse is unquestionably Messianic, but believers today must realize it is also talking about them, because they are in Christ. It is the task and the privilege of those who have already come from darkness to light to lead others into the light as well. There is one word in the Japanese translation of this verse that strikes me, and that is where it says “I have gripped your hand.” This isn’t just a casual thing; He isn’t going to let go! There are times when we might not be aware of His hand on ours, but that doesn’t mean He’s let go. This passage is one of many that should encourage us to world missions. I grew up with the hymn, “Send the Light,” which is all about that, and this passage provides foundation for it. It’s interesting that it goes from opening blind eyes to leading out prisoners, those who sit in dungeons. (The NIV simply says “release.”) People have to have their spiritual eyes open to see that they are in prison in the first place, and then to see the way out. When you’ve been blindfolded for a long time and then the blindfold is suddenly removed, things seem too bright at first, and you really need someone to take you by the hand so you won’t run into things. That’s the job of more mature believers toward new believers. Charles Dickens was very perceptive and observant when he wrote, in A Tale of Two Cities, of the old man who, even when he was released, was uneasy and wanted the familiar environment of his cell. Some people are so comfortable in their sins that even when the way is clearly open for their escape, they won’t take it. Believers aren’t responsible for that, but they are responsible to be light in the darkness and lead out all who indeed will come.

Being a child of missionaries and a grandson of a missions professor, the responsibility and privilege of world missions has been an unquestionable fact for me all my life. I first stated that I was going to be a missionary when I was 10, visiting the grave of David Livingston in Westminster Abbey, but I departed considerably from that path for quite a few years after that. From my current perspective I am deeply grateful for God bringing me back on track. I am well aware that God doesn’t call everyone to minister somewhere other than their passport/birth country, but I am absolutely convinced that every believer is called to be a light to someone, and indeed many “someones.” As a pastor my task is discipleship, but being a witness is inseparable from being a disciple. It is a continuing frustration that so many have such trouble believing that God could use them to lead someone else to Him, and that He wants to do so. Personal evangelism is admittedly difficult in Japan for many reasons, but we need an infusion of faith that nothing is too difficult for God, and He wants to do it through us.

Father, thank You for Your patience and faithfulness toward me. Help me exercise that same patience and faithfulness toward the people in my care, that they may be matured, trained, and equipped as You desire and intend, to bring in a mighty harvest in Your kingdom, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!