Love makes all of this bearable

Although the Book of Isaiah is a prophecy about the birth of the Messiah, it also foretells the sufferings of Jesus.  We can find wisdom and strength for endurance from the prophecy, as well as from Jesus’ fulfillment of that prophecy, and we can apply it to our own lives and thus unify ourselves with His cross and with His resurrection.  Let’s look at Isaiah 50:4-9:

"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue ... to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."  After almost 4 weeks into our ‘exiles’, we probably have grown in compassion as a result of suffering, and what we have learned we can now pass onto others who experience similar trials in the future.  It doesn’t mean they will listen.  Take the lessons we should have learned from the Spanish Flu epidemic 100 years ago; we were ill-prepared to treat the virus then, and it appears we were ill-prepared for today’s pandemic.  We must not forget this trial!  Rather, it is now our duty to pass on what we know and to do our best to be better prepared for the next one…and there will be a next one.

"Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; I have not rebelled".  Jesus faced His betrayal with determination and single-minded trust in the Father (Matthew 26:39).  We, also, have the same Father God helping us move forward into healing and redemption.  We only have to ask, then submit to His will.

"My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting."  Have we ‘turned the other cheek’ in imitation of Jesus when others have tried to belittle us for our faith?  God knows how many times we have refused to retaliate against evil with evil, and he appreciates our efforts.

"I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame."  By forgiving those who hurt us and by refusing to compromise our moral stand, although others try to shame us, the Father holds us close to his heart.

"He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together."  When people oppose us and cause us to suffer, they're also opposing and attacking Jesus.  He is at our side, supporting us, healing us, comforting us, and taking the worst of the blows.

When we desire and expect people to strengthen us, encourage us, sympathize with us or heal us during our difficulties and pain, we always end up disappointed.  Even the most caring friends cannot give us enough of everything that we need.  Only God can.  Consider Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26: 36-46).  Only God can turn our mourning into dancing and joy (Psalms 30: 11-12).

By offering our sufferings to God's plan of redemption, and by turning to Him for comfort, we experience the same great love that the Father gave to His Beloved Son.  That love is what makes it all do-able.  That love is what helps us endure.  That love is what heals us and resurrects us to a renewed, victorious life.