The High Road: Isaiah 50:4-7


The LORD sets a high standard that the members of his household are called to live by. I'll call it "High Road" living, a road less travelled. Our Scripture for reflection today, Isaiah 50:4-7, expressed the high road as “attitudes-and-actions” that will bear fruits of meekness. It is a difficult road to travel by our own strength, thus we need the strength and wisdom of God along this journey. Isaiah said: " 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." Isaiah further states, " 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. For the Lord God will help me, therefore I will not be disgraced. I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."

 

Here, we see two operations at work: first, the Lord ministered to Isaiah with inspired words for the weary soul. As Ambassadors of Christ, our words can uplift the broken heart and contrite spirit. We are called to minister to others as the Lord ministers to us. Just imagine what a sick world would be like without doctors and medicine. We are Heaven's Paramedics with the medicine (the Word of God) for the sick, weary, depressed, dying, and anxious minds all around us. And we must respond to the morning awakenings--the still small voice; the tap on the shoulder, the inspirational moving of the Lord's Spirit for us to speak a word. Every place we are, there is someone who needs to hear a timely word. Let us listen as the learned, and upon receiving that word of life, ask the Lord who it is for, and then go forth and minister.

 

Nonetheless, be reminded that as you strive to please the Lord, suffering will make its appointment with your life. Isaiah said he gave his back to those who beat him and his cheeks to them that pulled out his beard. This servant of God submitted himself to suffering yet rejoiced. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you too can rejoice; you too can have confidence as Isaiah did. Regardless of his suffering, Isaiah confidently professed: For the Lord God will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced. I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. Imagine someone spitting in your face, an act that would most definitely produce shame. Yet, Isaiah said he did not hide his face from shame and spitting. How was he able to do this? With an attitude of meekness.

 

This is an attitude of the heart, and faith in God's provisional and sustaining promises. While we collaborate with the Lord, we can arm ourselves with confidence that He will help us. Therefore, if you suffer as a Christian, don't be ashamed but glorify God on his behalf. We will suffer, and thus, we need not fear its coming, because the Lord will be glorified in it. Let us rise to the occasion of traveling the High Road as Ambassadors of Christ with zeal, and at each intersection when the opportunity presents itself, speak a word in season to the weary, and with the right attitude glorify God in suffering, knowing that He will never let us be confounded or ashamed.

R.G.  11/04/25

Image: pixabay.com

 

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