Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)
The servant songs found in Isaiah paint pictures for us that describe not only the life and ministry of the Messiah but provide encouragement and direction to anyone who takes up the yoke of the servant. Previously, Isaiah 50 describes the servant as a listener, as well as someone who endures suffering.
Now we will turn our attention to the determination of the servant. What does this determination look like? And importantly, where do we find this determination? Once again, the Lord’s servant is not alone. Determination is possible because the Sovereign Lord helps us.
Willpower is not enough. Individual fortitude will not win the day. For the follower of Christ, the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. In Christ, we find the one who begins and ends our faith. Hebrews tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” This determination cannot be a determination to do things in our own way or our strength. It is submission to the will of God. As Jesus said: “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36 (CSB)
A servant has one main objective. A faithful servant places the will of the master above everything else. It is inevitable that the opposition will arise, but the faithful servant “sets his face like a stone” in pursuit of the goal. There is a hope and a confidence that when we do the will of the master, we will not ultimately be put to shame.
Run with Determination
Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (CSB)
Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthian church is sometimes misunderstood. We are not in competition against other people. In the same way that our warfare is against powers and principalities, the race is run against the enemies of our souls. Primarily, our flesh, with its desires that run contrary to the will of God; the devil, who opposes everything God supports; and the world.
To run with determination means that we don’t give up before we reach the goal. We must keep our eye on the prize set before us. Paul chided the Galatians: You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? Galatians 5:7 (NLT)
Satan knows that as long as we have our eyes on Jesus, we will run the race set before us. Each of us running the race has a potential weakness. Satan desires to exploit our weaknesses to distract us from the goal. What is necessary for us to win the race?
We must begin with the proper preparation. Training and exercise can be difficult unless we have a fixed objective. I have a daughter who runs marathons. To prepare properly, she must follow a schedule that gradually builds up her endurance. What makes it possible to bear long hours of training is the goal that is set before us.
Athletes run for a prize or a medal, but our pursuit is for something of infinite value: Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (CSB). Run to win!
Our Protector
The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected. Proverbs 29:25 (CSB)
The servant lives with great determination because the Sovereign Lord helps him. The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (CSB). Without the hope and confidence that God is with us, it would be easy to become discouraged.
If the servant is determined to win the prize, the enemy comes at him with discouragement. But not only discouragement, he also uses distraction, disappointment, and deception. These “D” words may be related in their effect, but they have deadly potential.
As long as our eyes are fixed on Jesus, and we are striving for the prize that lay before us, we will reach the goal. Time and time again we are encouraged to be alert and on guard. Paul reminds us: This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because we are well aware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (CEB)
We do not rely on our own strength or understanding. Our trust is in God our Savior. We do not worry about what man can do to us because if God is for us, no one can stand against us. The Psalmist said: Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. Psalm 91:14 (CSB)
Wholly Devoted
For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (CSB)
It is reassuring to know: The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Psalm 118:6 (NLT). The servant of the Lord is not immune from attacks, but: “if God is for us, who can be against us?” When we look back on our lives, we will realize that God is absolutely dependable.
Therefore, as servants of the Lord, we can set our face like a stone as we strive toward the prize. Our gaze is forward, and we forget those things that are behind us. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
God will enable us to run with determination!
Steve Ekeroth
Leave a Reply