Tuesday, Reflection February 08, 2022

Keep The Faith

Today’s watchword is from Isaiah 51: 7. Do not fear the reproach of others, and do not be dismayed when they revile you. Here the prophet is looking ahead to the time when the Children of Judah would be captured and carried away to exile in Babylon. The Lord seeks to assure them even before it takes place and to comfort them while they experience this tragedy of oppression. They were not to be afraid neither were they to lose hope. They were to keep the faith.

Fear and dismay destroy the comfort and confidence we have in serving and hoping in God. Fear comes in the face of danger, whether this is actual or perceived. Dismay is ‘a sudden or complete loss of courage or firmness in the face of trouble or danger.’ (Dictionary meaning) Dismay is being terrified, it is the sinking of the heart or spirit that leaves one completely helpless. The Lord is telling His people not to be fearful in the presence of the Babylonians. Not to let their condition sap them of their hope in God. He is encouraging them and us, not to become so terrified of their situation that they forget who their God is. Fear and dismay can blind us to the reality of the power of God to change our situations. Thus, God’s people are encouraged not to fear the reproach of others. Reproach are deceptive remarks that have the power to hurt or insult while not appearing to do so. To revile, on the other hand, is to ‘cuss out’ someone. While the language of reproach may be veiled, there is no doubt in the language of reviling. It’s telling in no uncertain terms with the harshest and most unkind words.

Words are powerful. They can make or break us. No wonder the Children of Judah were told from early, not to let what they hear destroy their spirits. Even so however, this is what happened to them. We read about it in Psalm 137. The Babylonians mocked them, ‘our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”’ This mocking drove them to silence. ‘How can we sing the songs of the Lord in a strange land?’ The words of today’s text are as relevant to us today as it was to God’s people then. In times of tribulation and affliction, we should not lose heart, we should not lose hope, rather we should become more firmly rooted in our faith for the God who has faithfully kept us to this point in our existence will be true to His promises. He will keep us until He presents us before His Father in glory. When we are obedient to the Lord and His way, we do not have to be afraid. The entire verse in the New Living Translation says: ‘Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults.’ Why should we be unafraid? It is because God promises in the next verse that those who dare to insult God, or the people of God, will meet their own bitter end. In due time they will reap their bitterness. We in the meantime, are to keep the faith.

As I close, let us remember that Jesus did warn us in John 15: 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” You are not the first and you won’t be the last. There is good news for us too. 1 Peter 4: 14 tells us, If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. We will attract the insults and hatred of the world because of the Spirit of God at work in us, but let us be Christlike in our response. Again Peter guides us with the example of Christ. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2: 23. Let others say what they will but let us hold fast to our faith in God, let us keep the faith. Amen.