Isaiah 49:1-3

Listen to me, you islands;
    hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the Lord called me;
    from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
    and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, “You are my servant,
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” - Isaiah 49:1-3

Dear Father,

You hid your Son in heaven until just the right time.  Then you hid him on earth from Herod, from Caiphas and the rest until just the right time.  Then you pulled him out of the sheath and struck the biggest blow Satan would ever endure.  You sacrificed him to cover sin and guilt and so killed sin and death and the power of the evil one to ruin us forever.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for pulling Jesus out of the sheath and forcing him into battle for my soul.  Pull me out of the sheath when you are ready to use me to force your love into my corner of the world.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Jesus was the sword Satan never wanted to see.  Once he was sent to earth, Satan’s territory began to recede.