Are You Willing?

Jesus was. Let’s check out some more Messianic prophecies. Powerful verses to apply to our own lives. In Isaiah 50:4-9, Jesus says about Himself:

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient, nor did I turn back.

I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.

For the Lord God helps Me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set My face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

He who vindicates Me is near; who will contend with Me? Let us stand up together; who has a case against Me? Let him draw near to Me.

Behold, the Lord God helps Me; who is he who condemns Me? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; The moth will eat them.” (NASB)

I love reading this, and knowing the difference between God the Father (referred to as Lord God and He who vindicates in the above verses) and God the Son. Knowing that we find our salvation and help from our Father-God, just as Jesus does.

• Are you letting God’s word sustain you? Are you using your tongue to bring the comfort of God to weary friends? (applying verse 4)
• Is your ear tuned into the Lord’s will? Are you obedient and not willing to turn against what He’s asked of you? (applying verse 5)
• Are you willing to die to self? (applying verse 6)
• Are you truly relying on God’s help to stand firm, no matter what the culture says/accuses? (applying verse 7)
• You may feel alone, unappreciated, helpless…maybe you need to draw near to His word, to Him, to His strength. (applying verse 8 )
• What matters? God’s appraisal of my life. Am I doing what He put me here to do? His plans are for eternity. (applying verse 9)

If we’re willing, to die to self for a greater cause, God is able to give us strength just as He enabled Jesus to complete His ministry on earth, and face the cross and all our sins.

It’s a process. If you start applying it at the beginning (vs 4) by committing to reading God’s word, and from His word/prayer learning His will for your life (vs 5), practicing being obedient (vs 5 and 6), getting in the habit of bucking this world system in favor of doing right (vs 7), coming back to God to fill you up because suffering is part of Christianity (vs 8 ), and getting to the point that this process is second nature. All your priorities fall in line because of your continual desire to put God and His ways first (vs 9).

Just start at the beginning with a willing and committed heart. God will work the rest.