“Pay attention to me, my people, and listen to me, my nation; for instruction will come from me, and my justice for a light to the nations. I will bring it about quickly.” Isaiah 51:4 (CSB)
For years of my childhood, I shared a bedroom with my stepsister. For years, we fought over the lamp.
It was a single light bulb on a yellow ceramic base, and we used it as a night-light. When the sun went down, we’d pick up our ongoing argument over who would sleep with the lamp on her bedside table.
“You had it yesterday!”
“I had a bad dream.”
“Mom said I could.”
“Dibs! I called dibs!”
We’d pull out our resumes as the clock struck nine and list all the qualifications and extenuating circumstances that made us uniquely worthy of the light.
Maybe the people of Israel felt similarly when they heard the Lord say, “Pay attention to me, my people, and listen to me, my nation; for instruction will come from me, and my justice for a light …” (Isaiah 51:4).
Israel was God’s nation, set apart for His purposes. Surely God’s instruction would bring them unique blessings not available to anyone else in the world!
Imagine when they heard the rest of Isaiah 51:4: “For instruction will come from me, and my justice for a light to the nations” (emphasis added).
A light to … who?
When Isaiah delivered this prophecy, Israel had been invaded by the nation of Assyria. The people called out to other nations like Egypt for help, but it did no good. So “the nations” were no friends of God’s people; they were enemies, and their spiritual resume was filled with destruction and darkness.
But God didn’t say the nations were worthy of His light. For that matter, He didn’t say Israel was either.
God just promised His justice would shine.
A few verses earlier, God told His people to “look to Abraham” (Isaiah 51:2, CSB), reminding them of His promise to make Abraham’s family into the great nation of Israel that would bless “all the peoples on earth” (Genesis 12:1-3, CSB). From the start, God shone on Israel but also beyond them, revealing His ways to the whole world. And as He dealt justly with both Israel and the nations in Isaiah’s day, His radiant righteousness would be displayed.
The truth is none of us are worthy of God’s redeeming light — but we sure do need it. And our God sure is good.
So when our pride tempts us to defend, debate, or doubt where we think the Lord should plug in His lamp … let’s leave the light of the world up to Him.
When we set aside our arguments about who is worthy, we might be surprised to discover what I eventually did in my childhood bedroom: That small yellow lamp was enough to brighten every night, no matter whose table it was on.
God, thank You that Your light overcomes darkness. We aren’t worthy — but You are. May the whole world be filled with Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Even a sliver of God’s light is enough to illuminate the dark path in front of you. That’s the heartbeat behind our newest devotional, Let In the Light: 50 Devotions to Confidently Know God Is Good and Guiding Your Steps. Each day will help you find truth for the moments when your thoughts spiral, your season feels unsure, or you just need to be reminded that the Lord’s light is still surrounding you. The Encouragement for Today devotion you read today is only a taste of how special this book is, so preorder your copy now!
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Genesis 12:1-3, “The LORD said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (CSB).
Isaiah 51:2, “Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave birth to you. When I called him, he was only one; I blessed him and made him many” (CSB).
What do you think God meant when He said His justice would be “a light to the nations” in Isaiah 51:4? How does that speak to His character and intentions for the world?
How might embracing God's justice and mercy toward all people change how you interact with others, especially those who seem different from you?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Claire Foxx. All rights reserved.
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