Last Sunday I happened upon the 50th chapter of Isaiah. In this chapter there are very famous prophecies about Jesus. Verse 6 says, "I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting….."
Then, verse 7 comes about Jesus that is just amazing:
"Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like stone determined to do his will. And I know I will not be put to shame."
Did you catch the strong words?
Because
Sovereign Lord
Therefore
I will not
Stone
Determined
I knew the Lord was speaking to me and giving me a verse that would help me through the uncertainty we face in believing God for miracles and filming this movie, Shots in the Dark, and then later Ebenezer Productions.
Now, some might say that Isaiah was talking about Jesus, and that this verse only applies to our Savior. I do agree that Isaiah 50 is prophecy about Jesus, whom else could it be about? It wasn't about Isaiah!
But I do not agree that we cannot use it to help us. Jesus is our example and because he is our example we are to love and live like he did. And Isaiah himself gives us further evidence that we can use this verse. A little later in verse 10, he said, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant. Let the one who walks in the dark who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God."
That tells me that anyone who dares to believe God will not allow us to be shamed can stand up straight and use this verse as a battle cry.
But notice: Jesus had to go through some terrible things, and the people of his day would have said he was disgraced, and that God abandoned him.
Until the resurrection.
This world is a hard cruel place, and we have disappointments, but in spite of our earthly disappointments, we can walk with confidence and determination as we follow the guidance of our Father, his Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit; even if that confidence takes us to our death.
And then, when we are all gathered together in heaven, all of us will walk without disgrace or shame.
I hope you are as encouraged as I was when I read this verse. It's just one more instance by which the Lord speaks to us through his word.
Have you ever experienced the voice of the Lord speaking to YOU?
I suggest you get a Bible, pray and ask the Lord to reveal himself to you. You might not hear anything right away, but as you make this part of your daily routine, I know God will speak to you just as he has been speaking to me.
Discover an awesome relationship with Almighty God.