Immediate Pain Not A Deterrent For Ultimate Victory

UV 3410/10000 Immediate Pain not a Deterrent for Ultimate Victory
For the Lord God helps me, therefore, I have not been ashamed or humiliated. Therefor, I have made My face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

Isaiah 50 v 7

This uni-verse is prophetic as it spoke of the coming Messiah. Jesus, recalling this promise, set His face like flint as recorded by the gospel writers towards the cross. His one goal in life was to die for all humanity, past, present, future to redeem them from death and sin. Since He was going to be crucified for the noblest purpose, the potential salvation of all mankind, He did not regard the otherwise shameful capital punishment of the cross as shameful or humiliating. He was determined to fulfill the goal set before Him by the Father and would not allow anything to stand in the way. He also knew that thought the path was painful, He would be resurrected, glorified and worshipped forever after He did the act.

Likewise, the Lord helps us set a goal that is in alignment with the overall purpose of our lives. He helps us achieve the goal as we walk in faith like Jesus. We do not flinch from the path even it the trials and troubles we face can often be painful. We can also set our faces like flint towards the goal and be determined and dedicated till the goal is achieved. Jesus is with us every step of the way as Immanuel or God with us and as Ebenezer or Helper. He also sends us the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Counsellor. When we face trials and troubles, the Holy Spirit acts as our Comforter and guide.

We can, therefore, be confident, that the grave cannot hold us prisoner or that sin cannot take us captive. He who has saved us has also called us to serve His higher purpose. This kind of perspective will enable us to set our faces like flint. We know that we will not be put to shame. His resurrection power will revive us when our energy and zeal flags or fails. Our eyes are fixed on the unfading, imperishable crown of glory the Lord holds in His hand for each of us who overcomes, triumphs, grips the baton of victory in faith that we can pass on to the next generation.