God's Holy Fire: 'God's Servant'

Monday, April 28, 2025

"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations."
— Matthew 12:18 NIV

Key Thought

Matthew is quoting a prophecy from Isaiah 42, applying it to Jesus in a time of rising conflict. In spite of the conflict, Jesus refuses to stop ministering even though he is under intense scrutiny and faced fierce opposition. Instead, he takes his closest followers and teaches them his will and shares his healing grace with those who are in need. With God's approval and the power of the Holy Spirit upon him, he cares for the broken in the face of hostility and shares grace in the face of criticism. Through kindness, compassion, integrity, and passion, Jesus works to accomplish what only Immanuel can do - brings God's grace and faithful loving justice to all nations - and he does it even under unfair scrutiny because the Father has empowered him through the Holy Spirit!

Today's Prayer

O Father, we confess that we sometimes give in to fear. We fear aging and illness. We fear the crazy swings in the economy. We fear the legal opposition to practicing our faith openly in our schools, at work, or online. We confess that when we fear these things, we forget that you are still at work in our world and in us. Give us courage and tenderness through the work of your Spirit within us so that we will minister as Jesus did, including in times of opposition and hardship. In Jesus' name, we request this grace. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Fulfilling the Mission
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus healed many and then warned those he healed not to reveal who he was.] This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: "Look at my..."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 12:18 NIV — "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, April 28, 2025

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Isaiah 48:8
"It is painful to remember that, in a certain degree, this accusation may be laid at the door of believers, who too often are in a measure spiritually...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Discerning, not Deceived' (Co. 2:4-7)
"Dear Father, my rock, Help me to think clearly with discernment. Keep me from being taken in by the beguiling speech of deceivers. Give me great joy...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Gamble' (Mt. 27:35-37)
"After they had nailed [Jesus] to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Move Beyond the God Talk'
"Dear Partner in the Kingdom, People can speak in "God talk" and live in anti-God ways. Unfortunately, Christmas is a time when a lot of that happens...."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations