March 19, 2001
"Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame."
Isaiah 50:7
In reading this prophecy about Jesus it occurred to me that God wants us to feel with him and toward him as Jesus did because we too are his children. He wants to be our comfort and strength just like he was for Jesus. When we endure suffering and challenge that is not a product of our own sin he doesn't want us to feel disgraced or ashamed. The comfort and encouragement here is that we can bear up under it with the assurance of his favor and protection. Rather than feel ashamed or that we will be disgraced before people we can 'set our face like flint'. We can have courage and be resolute in what we face determined not shrink from any trial, challenge or hardship that God deems necessary to complete the work that he is doing in our lives.This part applies even to those hardships that we go through that may be in part or in whole a product of our sin. Overall we have the promise that in those moments, though we may have 'messed up royally' that God will work for our good in the situation if we continue to love him and to hang on - we just can't quit!
" Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons"
Hebrews 12:7