1/5 Getaway Fellowship Retreat

 
I Have Set My Face like a Flint
(ISAIAH 50:7-11)
 
Pause & Reflect
 
7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

1. [v.7] *Biblical principle – IMMOVABLE FLINT: Like streaks of immovable flint rock trapped between sediments of towering stone in the Judean wilderness, the face of Jesus was immovably set towards Jerusalem at the cross for the joy of bringing you to Father God (Hebrews 12:2): Jesus was resolutely unshakable in His mission – to give His back to those who strike, give His cheeks to those who pulled His beard, give His face to those who disgracefully spit. Like flint rock that cannot be removed in sediments of stone, Jesus’ face never moved away from the earthly shame and sufferings of the cross. Yet by the LORD’s help, He was not disgraced nor shamed, but rather vindicated for His perfect obedience and sacrifice for our sins. So Jesus has never looked-off of you. Are you moved by His immovability? Set your face to Jesus!
   1. *RE-CENTER FOCUS QUESTION #1 – In honor/shame culture of biblical times, shame was to be avoided on the face at all costs (known today as “save-face”) in order to preserve being honored. Yet, how does Jesus show the way to truly “save” our face? Was the face of Jesus “saved” by avoiding shame or bearing shame? In what ways has your face avoided shame in following Jesus? In what ways have you welcomed shame in following Jesus?
   2. *RE-CENTER FOCUS QUESTION #2 – Our sin nature is set on shaming ourselves, shaming one another, and shaming God. With the Lord God’s help, we can overcome all three of these shaming ways like Jesus did. How do you need to repent in these three areas? Shame is hard to look at, but does the face of Jesus move away/turn away like us? How is the immovable flint-like face of Jesus helping you not turn away from shame, but use shame to bring glory to God through Christ-exalting confession and testimony? With godly discretion, wisdom, and discernment, confess the shame that Jesus has delivered you from that brings glory up to the Savior and joy down to the saved.

 
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.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

1. [v.8-9] *Biblical principle – IMPERISHABLE FLINT: Like flint rock that cannot perish over time, the face of Jesus remains imperishably unblemished, without guilt nor defeat from unjust prosecutors nor adversaries, because the LORD vindicated Jesus by raising Him from the dead forever: Jesus can never fade away nor become worn out like an old garment. He is immortal as the very substance of eternal God. No one can contend to stand up and over Jesus. No one can be an adversary equal with Jesus. No one can get away with declaring Jesus guilty. Everyone’s face will become blemished with perishable existence, but the face of Jesus continues to eternity without a single blemish. Because we were in danger of perishing, the imperishable Jesus put on perishable humanity to show the way to Father God. Is your face turned that way?
   1. *RE-CENTER FOCUS QUESTION #1 – What perishables are you afraid to stand up against because they have become such a contender in your life next to Jesus? What perishables have you allowed to defeat you as a stronger adversary next to the still stronger Jesus? With a tight grip on your perishables, how is your face accusing Jesus as guilty, inadequate, a failure, at fault, deficient, limited, weak, defective, constraining, or flawed?
   2. *RE-CENTER FOCUS QUESTION #2 – If the perishables perish, why do we keep holding on to them and what eventually happens (like perishable food) when they expire? What is the worn-out garment you are still wearing, where your face still thrills with excitement for? When we look into the imperishable flint-like face of Jesus, what happens to our rotten, smelly, blemished/stained, worn garments? How can we throw away our perishables, stop covering-up our blemishes to preserve our own self-image and secrecy, look-off ourselves to behold the unperishing beauty of what is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ? What does a life look like that is face-to-face with this unperishing beauty of Jesus Christ?

 
10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.

1. [v.10-11] *Biblical principle – ILLUMINATING FLINT: Like the luster shine of flint rock alongside its power to produce fire when struck together with steel, the face of Jesus illumines the way to walk, even into our present darkness, guided by the fire of His voice calling us to trust and obey Him: In the darkness of Babylonian captivity, the people had to trust that God was going to deliver them. This was the illuminating light He was shining forth to His people. Yet instead of listening to His voice and following His light, they kindled for themselves their own fire, equipped themselves with torches, and walked by the light of their own illumination. The only end that awaited them was torment. Let us discern which fire is warming us, which voice is guiding us, which light is illumining us to walk. Our kindled fires will burn us and harm us, while God’s fire will heal us and guide us, even through this present darkness.
   1. *RE-CENTER FOCUS QUESTION #1 – Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” When we walk in the light of Christ, His Word is a lamp to our near-sighted next step on foot as well as far-sighted long distance by path. Walking in His light means to fear the LORD and obey the voice of His servant Jesus. How is your fearing of the LORD and obedience to Christ illuminating both your next step and long-distance path?
   2. *RE-CENTER FOCUS QUESTION #2 – How has your own kindled light and fire burned and harmed you? How has God’s light and fire healed and guided you? How can we discern which light is illuminating us to walk? A central work of the holy Spirit is illumination. We cannot understand spiritual truth by our own efforts or knowledge, but only when the Spirit illuminates His Word into our minds and hearts. Ephesians 1:17-18 says, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” How is the Spirit’s illuminating glow being a teacher, corrector, trainer, reprover/admonisher, even rebuker, warning you of your own kindled light?

 
The central truth of this word was –
Into the new year 2024, where will your face be set? Jesus set His face resolutely to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), to bear your sins in His body at the cross, for the joy of bringing you to God. Like an immovable flint rock, nothing can turn the face of Jesus away from you. Like a flint rock that cannot perish, the face of Jesus did not grow old, wrinkly, and defeated. Instead, He conquered His perishable enemies and remained unblemished as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Like flint rock that shines and ignites real fire, Jesus’ face speaks the light of God’s words that carries us through the darkness. Won’t you turn your face to His face more and more this new year? Fear Him. Walk courageously into your present darkness, for Your Rock like a flint sees you, goes before you, and is the light to carry you through.

– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
 

Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)