“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)
Pause....let's be with Jesus for a few minutes. Take a deep breath. Let's go sit beside Him on the mountainside. Let Him pull you closer and closer to His side. Imagine sitting with Him for awhile.
Our friend and Savior, Jesus, this Holy week, carried burdens and concerns that we can't begin to imagine. More than He could bear. The journey ahead must have seemed daunting. The weight of the world on His heart and soul. The pain and suffering to come and a road that must have felt overwhelming. Everything within Him probably wanted to run.
I don't know about you but my 'face', most days, is set towards my to-do list, my errands, my worries, my family, my concerns.
Can you relate? I drew this in my journal this week. (me being in the middle) At every turn, I felt unsettled and curious what God was up to. No matter which way I faced, I sensed a wrestling.
Have the worries of this life ever felt consuming?
Pray....Sit in silence for a few minutes. Come as you are. How are you coming to Jesus? Name the emotions and thoughts. Let Jesus speak to you. What do you sense He might be saying?
Jesus, thank you for letting me sit beside you on this daunting mountain. I can't imagine the weight within. I can't fathom a love so deep. All of the journey for LOVE. Although you carried the weight of the world, your "face was set like a flint". Help me understand what that means. Help me to set my face like flint with you. I want you to know how much I love you.
Have you been wondering what flint is?
(Actual picture from the rocks in Negev-southern Israel, notice the dark lines)
"Flint, a very hard, dark rock, is used figuratively in the Bible to express hardness, as in the firmness of horses’ hoofs (Isaiah 5:28), the toughness of an impossible task (Deuteronomy 8:15; and the inflexibility of unwavering determination (Ezekiel 3:8–9)." (gotquestions.org)
Allow this next part to speak to us and transform us! Read it slowly. Read it out loud. Read it with your spouse, children, family and friends.
"His complete confidence in God, declaring that He will not shrink back from His mission, despite severe suffering, opposition, and humiliation:
“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). (gotquestions.org)
What stands out to you? What speaks to you? Share together. Invite God to be a part of the conversation. Allow whatever comes up to be ok. He understands. "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin." Hebrews 4:15
"Set your face like flint is the figure of speech the prophet uses to describe the Messiah’s unwavering determination to persevere in the excruciating task set before Him. Christ would endure humiliation on His journey to the cross to die for our sins." (gotquestions.org)
"Messiah’s unwavering determination to persevere in the excruciating task set before Him."
Help me, Lord, even when I don't feel the strength to persevere. Help me, Lord, persevere when the task before me seems daunting.
Follow....Let's return to the mountainside with Jesus. Where is He inviting you follow Him? Where do you long to 'set your face like a flint' as Jesus modeled for us? Where is He inviting you to have 'unwavering determination'? Journey with Jesus to the Cross. Where do you need to surrender?
I am praying for us to persevere in the task set before you whatever that is. We will never journey alone because the Lord promises to never leave us or forsake us.
We love you, Jesus. Thank you for saving us and for going to the cross to give us LIFE and FREEDOM!!!
Happy Resurrection Weekend!
So very grateful for those that came to the Holy Pause Retreat this past weekend! Some of the take-aways...
"Be still, keep company with my Father, love."
"Instead of the word "silent", I am going to the use the word, Pause, and I am going to be light and keep company with God at all times throughout my days."
"Peace and comfort with Christ are attainable. Silence isn't scary. Allowing time for connection with Christ is refreshing and renewing."
Please share this with someone if it has encouraged you today!
Grace upon Grace,
Tracie Tackett
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