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The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, Wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders. The Master, God, opened my ears, and I didn't go back to sleep, didn't pull the covers back over my head. I followed orders, stood there and took it while they beat me, held steady while they pulled out my beard, Didn't dodge their insults, faced them as they spit in my face. And the Master, God, stays right there and helps me, so I'm not disgraced. Therefore I set my face like flint, confident that I'll never regret this. My champion is right here. Let's take our stand together! Who dares bring suit against me? Let him try! Look! the Master, God, is right here. Who would dare call me guilty? Look! My accusers are a clothes bin of threadbare socks and shirts, fodder for moths! (Isaiah 50:4-9 The Message version)
As we consider Jesus and all He suffered for us during Holy Week, we shouldn't help but think about His willingness and readiness to serve God and us. The prophetic word from the prophet Isaiah speaks of this mindset; a readiness that awoke each morning in Him, an attitude of servanthood for whatever lay ahead. Later, the other words come into play as He faced the passion that He did, being whipped and humiliated as He was; yet He never wavered, doing what He did to save you and me.
I can relate some days to wanting to stay in bed, but the call from God calls us ever onward and upward. So much work to do in reaching out to others with a word or action of encouragement.
PRAYER: Lord, use me. Give me Jesus' mind, heart, and attitude. In His name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
