Not Impressed, Not Disappointed

Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 61: 1-3

A phrase I have been pressing into lately is this; “God is not impressed and He is not disappointed”. How would our lives, ministries, decisions be affected if we fully embraced this? If we looked at what we do as obedience and joy rather than troublesome and tiring? Are we always going to live in joy and obedience perfectly? Of course not! But are we going to have moments where we need to believe that God is fully aware of what we are capable of, we cannot go above or below an expectation he has. 

So when we read about being a good and faithful servant, we have to remember that striving to impress the world is a fleeting hope. We are called to bring justice and good news because God already has and will continue to bring His justice to this world (42:3). In His goodness he has called us chosen as his servants to fight on behalf of the oppressed and broken. In His faithfulness, he is calling us to be faithful. To endure despair and suffering (42:4) and to be established in his character. 

Nowhere does he call us to impress him. Nor does she shame us with disappointment. He is clear about His command of us and gentle in His grace. God doesn’t keep score or tally of rights and wrongs, that’s the very thing Jesus died for! So as you read what it means to be a good and faithful servant, check your motivations. The Lord has already anointed you (61:1) and he has SENT you to be a vessel to the broken, poor, prisoner, and captive (61:2).

In your good-hearted efforts, how do you slip into trying to prove yourself to God? 

What fear do you have in suffering for the sake of Christ? 

What do you need to believe about God’s character?