Isaiah Chapter 50: Verses 4-7 (NIV)
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;
I have not been rebellious,
I have not turned away.
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.
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 Chapter 52: Verse 7 (NIV)
Hear me, you who know what is right,
you people who have taken my instruction to heart:
Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals
or be terrified by their insults.
This is a reminder to me of how well God knows our character traits – both the strengths and the weaknesses and how He uses His Word to encourage us to stand, even in our weaknesses. God equipped Isaiah to speak for Him. He didn’t have to worry about what to say and He learned from experience that, even when he was being mocked and beaten, he knew that God would help him. That’s why in the following chapter he could exhort people not to fear insult and reproach from others.
Isn’t this another instance of our experiences being a testimony to others who may be facing the same experience?
I hate confrontation, and I can be guilty of worrying about offending people. If I want to be sure that I am keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, I need to remember to trust that He will give the words to speak, no matter who I speak to. I need not fear ridicule and reproach if I am obedient to His direction because He will strengthen and uphold me.
I also need to remember that God can use the experiences I face to speak to others who may be going through similar situations so I need to let God have His way and cast all my worries aside and look forward to seeing what God will do with my obedience.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for those who share their experiences to encourage others. Help me to remember that in our weaknesses You can make us strong, because we don’t stand on our own strength. I ask for boldness that is not concerned about the reproach of others as long as I am in step with the Holy Spirit. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.