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Resolute Redeemer
This week's focus:
“For the Lord God helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.” (Isaiah 50:7)
"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51)
Both the Old and New Testaments paint a picture of a loving God who with firm determination, entered the world in order to save His people.
Luke 9:51 displays the unwavering resolve of Jesus when He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem knowing His purpose and His destination: a painful death on a cross. His complete trust in God the Father and His love for us enabled Him to persevere through the pain knowing it would serve a greater purpose. Hebrews 12:2 says it this way, “…for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus came to save us, knowing beforehand that the rescue would involve great pain. In light of eternity, His suffering was temporary and the tears He shed produced a harvest of joy that can never be taken away. Our Savior defeated death when He rose from the grave three days later, proving He was God. Justice and mercy culminated at the cross when the fine for our sins was paid by Jesus so God the Father could dismiss our case. We can all be thankful that Jesus resolved beforehand to stay the course!
In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to the Word of God, we too must set our faces like flint and resolve to be obedient to the Lord. Like Jesus, let us courageously embrace God’s promises and trust Him completely. In the strength He provides, we can stand firm in our faith in spite of persecution, pain, and problems. Moreover, we can rejoice and be glad because great is our reward in heaven (see Matthew 5:12).
Our resolute Redeemer willingly laid down His life and defeated death so we could live. With overwhelming appreciation and gratitude, let us resolve to live for Him—our very great reward.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Prayer Points:
Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your steadfast love. In gratitude, we desire to stand firm and excel in the work You've called us to do. In the midst of trying times, help us to be resolute in our faith, and may we desire to please You above all else.
Think: "Disgust and resolve are two of the great emotions that lead to change." - Jim Rohn
Act: According to Open Doors USA, prayer is the number one request they receive from persecuted Christians. But sometimes it’s hard to know what to pray. Their ministry has several resources that enable you to pray for persecuted Christians around the world, including a prayer app that allows your prayers to be shared with some of the Christians. Check out those resources here.
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
This ministry is made possible by the generous support of friends like you.