The Secret to Future Victory (Isaiah 50:7)

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)

Jesus Messiah states here in this verse that, "I am not disgraced." This Hebrew word refers to public humiliation. Yet, we know that Jesus did in fact face public humiliation and disgrace. To add to this perplexity, in Isaiah 50:6, we see Messiah willingly face physical abuse and disgrace. Now here in verse seven, He says, "I am not disgraced [same word as v. 6]." How do we make sense of this?

The answer to this is found in another word here in verse seven. The verse ends with Messiah declaring, "I will not be ashamed." This is a different Hebrew word that means to fall into disgrace through failure. This statement looks to the end of the Messiah’s mission and states that there will not be shame or disgrace due to the failure of that mission.

So, this verse looks past the temporary, specific events of the Cross to the end of the story. The end of the story is that Jesus is not publically humiliated but rather, He is highly exalted. The end of the story is that Jesus’ mission is not a failure, but a glorious success.

What is the source of this glorious success and vindication? The "Lord GOD helps Me." This is Adonai Yahweh. The one and only, sovereign lord over all creation brings victory and vindication.

We might paraphrase these statements this way, "When all is said and done, I will not be publically humiliated and disgraced nor will I be ashamed of misplaced trust and confidence because Jehovah is Lord and He will bring victory."

And so, Jesus Messiah declares, "I have set My face like flint." Flint is a particularly hard stone. This is rock solid, unwavering determination. Jesus was unwavering; fully surrendered to the will of the Father, committed and determined to fulfill His mission. Why? Because He had rock solid confidence that the Father was trustworthy and that He would be vindicated and victorious in His mission.

So here’s the secret to future victory. Faith and determination. We must actually believe Romans 8:28. I know we all have it memorized, but far too often we really don’t believe it. We question God’s plan. We doubt God’s wisdom. We lack faith in God’s power.

Future victory begins with a firm confidence that our God is in fact the Lord God who is sovereign, all wise, all powerful and working His perfect plan in our lives for our good and His glory.

Then, we must be determined. Determined that no matter what we face in the future, we will be unwavering in obedience to God’s Word and His direction by His Spirit. We must be determined to trust Him . . . rely on Him . . . allow Him to bring the victory and vindication. We must be determined that we will not delay, desert, or disobey no matter how hard the road ahead. We must be determined to face public humiliation without quitting, knowing that He will bring us to victory and vindication.

I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

Soli Deo Gloria


Tomorrow: Bring it On (Isaiah 50:8)