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“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

Today is Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday is soon upon us.  What does it mean He, set His face like a flint? What does it mean to us as His followers – moving on as imitators of Christ?  “be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved ^]you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”  Eph  5:1-2

“His zeal was too fervent, His purpose was too strong, His compassion for His people was too intense for Him to yield to the tempter! Had He not voluntarily left the thrones and royalties of Heaven and stripped Himself of the glorious array which He had worn within His Father’s courts, to come down here to be a carpenter’s son? So who could bribe Him to turn from His purpose? No one, for He had set His face like a flint to put off all thought of seeking earthly honor—and to endure the utmost depths of shame—that He might redeem His people from the wrath to come.

His steadfast purpose was tried, next, by the persuasions of His friends. It is very dangerous, when you are possessed by a high purpose, to go and consult with flesh and blood, for if you are worthy of such an honor, there are few who can match you. Men who live for God’s Glory and the well-being of their fellow men, are like giants on the mountaintops, while others are hidden away in the depths of the valleys, hoarding up their gold, or living only for self.

He who would be a God’s man, and such a Man as Christ was, must not consult with flesh and blood, or ask his dearest friend’s advice when he once knows his Lord’s will. Christ’s kinsmen said that He was beside Himself and they would have laid hold of Him and confined Him if they could. They thought His zeal had carried Him beyond the bounds of reason-—and when He told His disciples about His approaching death upon the Cross, “Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from You, Lord: this shall not be unto You”—and all the disciples would have persuaded Him to choose an easier path than that which led to Calvary and the grave. ”  ~ CHARLES SPURGEON

How many times in this world have I been hounded by philosophies of men.  “Friends” in my home, high standing men in society with degrees and more…  How many times did the attacks of the enemy of doubt come in, when the road seemed so hard and difficult that I could have wandered from this called path.

IF then, Jesus who is the supreme example to me went through trial, difficulty, mocking, pain, and a world that was against Him, how am I to walk?  “walk just as I have walked”.

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6

For in spite of these things,

“He was steadfastly set upon His one great purpose, achieving the redemption of His people – and He resolved that the great deed of love must be done, cost what it might..all the taunts could not make HIM move from His purpose”

God’s great purpose for me is to lead my children to Jesus in my role as a wife and mother.  Walking with Him, in hopes for the great purpose of Him drawing their own souls to salvation. It has cost some.  Really, dying to self.  Which is painful.  Which was Christ’s great example.  Through this dying and sometimes many times a day, I also get to experience resurrection power.  This great deed of love I am called to as a wife and a mama.  It will be the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them unto salvation.  But it is my duty and privilege to lead them to Him, His Word that is LIFE.  For as the apostles did these things and men said “how”… it was simply because they had spent time with Jesus.  They were not professionals or with degrees in which they spoke and moved led others to HIM, it was they had spent time with Jesus.

It takes courage to move forward in His purpose, to go against men and rely upon God:

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

“His face was set like a flint to accomplish the task which He had undertaken!  It MUST BE DONE!  It SHALL BE DONE!  He will certainly die for His people and nothing can turn Him aside from that resolve!”  ~Charles Spurgeon

IF I had listened to all of “THEM” I would not have experienced such a death necessary to bring resurrection power so beautiful.  In me, in the life of my marriage, in the life called special needs, and so on.

Listening to His voice, obeying, and believing His Word.  Not listening to the voice of the world that says… “this one is outside of God’s box, this is different, this is special”.  God gave us this life, He gives us “EVERYTHING THAT PERTAINS TO LIFE AND GODLINESS THROUGH THE POWER OF HIS WORD”

Reflecting on Good Friday.  Resurrection Sunday.  I am thankful for a Savior so willing to keep His face like a flint on His purpose.  To save a sinner.  To save me, who was broken.   And to give me new life.    For voluntarily leaving the thrones and royalties of heaven and stripping Himself of the glorious array which Had worn within His Father’s courts…

A Father who will continue now for me, His child, to persevere in LOVE for my best until I meet Him forever in eternity.

A persevering love that I can barely grasp.  And I believe He will keep helping me to grasp more of His glories day by day.  And I am thankful He can work in His marvelous way to not only complete His work in me, but also in the lives of the people He calls me first and foremost to serve daily.  My blessed call.  My blessed purpose.  My husband and children.