“But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:7)
In these past three years, we human beings have been reminded, in a rather harsh manner, that the world we live in is filled with tribulations, troubles, and woes, many of which humans cannot predict or control. The COVID virus is a glaring example of such tribulation. The medical profession has managed to bring it other some degree of control, but it remains a deadly killer. Much like the flu, it can be treated, managed, but not eradicated.
Those who have faith in Jesus endure even greater evil than sickness, sin as well as the evil sponsored by Satan who is the enemy of Jesus and His Kingdom. He has enslaved millions who promote his agenda. He uses them to heighten our fears and doubts, to oppress and denigrate us, and violently persecute we who are followers of Jesus. Because of his activity, we face many trials that may driven us to shame and despair.
There is good news in the word of the Lord spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah prophesied of the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. The portrait he gave us here aptly described the Suffering Servant, the Messiah. As a true disciple of the Lord He obeyed the Father no matter what the cost to Him, no matter what suffering and shame He had to endure. He was totally committed to the task which the Lord has set for Him. He relied solely on the Lord for comfort, vindication, and victory.
The Suffering Servant is the perfect disciple, one worthy of emulation. The good disciple, like the suffering servant, relies on the Holy Spirit to stand firm and endure what the devil hurls at us so we do not desert the way of the Lord. If we were to try to stand based on our own strength, we would fall apart as many people in the world do. Their panic is used by Satan in an attempt to affect and infect us. But with the help of the Spirit working through God’s Word and the Church, those sufferings we endure we can bear by the strength of the Lord. We trust Him to carry us through the worst trials as we rest faithful in Him and His Word and work.