Bring it On (Isaiah 50:8)

He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.

Here is the voice of unwavering confidence rooted in unwavering trust in the sovereign, absolute standard and judge of righteousness. "He who vindicates me is near." Messiah is confident that He will be judged righteous and in fact perfectly right in everything He has done. He is confident that the ultimate judge in these matters is near and is ready to acquit Him.

In the end, the only opinion that matters is God’s. In the end the only judge that matters is God. Others will evaluate us . . . judge us . . . find fault . . . criticize. But their opinion is of little matter. God is the final and all important judge.

I will also evaluate myself . . . judge myself . . . find fault . . . or excuse. But my opinion is of little matter. God is the final and all important judge. I must, therefore, live under and by His judgement . . . His opinion . . . His declaration of what is right and what is wrong. I must live and die by this standard alone.

Messiah is not afraid to meet His judge. He exudes confidence. Look at what He says. "Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me." The New Living Translation makes this a little clearer. "Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear!" My paraphrase: "You want to bring a charge of guilt against me? Bring it on! You want to accuse me? Bring it on!"

How could He be so confident in calling His accusers to court. Because He knows they will stand before the all-knowing, perfectly just, holy judge who will only judge by what is true and right. And Messiah knows He is true. He is righteous . . . perfectly righteous. Without blame . . . without sin . . . perfect.

Oh that I would have such integrity that I could always stand before the sovereign judge with my accusers with confidence of vindication. Daniel was like this. Remember? His fellow rulers tried to find something, anything they could use against him to get him in trouble with the king. They could not find a single thing! Except that Daniel was unwaveringly faithful to God.

Oh that I would have such integrity and righteousness in my life. Oh that I could say to my accusers, "Bring it on, I have walked in righteousness and integrity. I have no fear of the accusations you may bring."

Have you ever felt like you wanted to stand before God’s court with you accusers? I have. There have been times when I wanted with all that was in me to be able to stand before God with those who were my accusers and have God judge in the matter. I can’t say I expected to be judged completely innocent, but I was confident that the basic facts in the matter were on my side. I was convinced I had God’s Word on my side. I wanted to be vindicated.

It didn’t happen. We didn’t stand before the court of God as I desired. But, I have seen God vindicate righteousness. In some cases, I still wait for truth to prevail. But I know that in the end it will. God is still the sovereign, righteous and just judge. And you can be sure truth and righteousness will ultimately prevail. Does this make you confident? Or fearful?

Soli Deo Gloria


Tomorrow: Where’d Everybody Go? (Isaiah 50:9)