by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
    so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
    and opens my understanding to his will.
The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
    and I have listened.
    I have not rebelled or turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat me
    and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
    from mockery and spitting.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
    determined to do his will.
    And I know that I will not be put to shame.
He who gives me justice is near.
    Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
    Let them appear!
See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
    Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
    like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

 Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
    without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
    and rely on your God.
But watch out, you who live in your own light
    and warm yourselves by your own fires.
This is the reward you will receive from me:
    You will soon fall down in great torment. Isaiah 50:4-11 (NLT) 

Isaiah 50:4-11 reveals four things the Sovereign Lord provides to those He pre-qualified as His servant (Isaiah 52:13). 

The question that poses is whether you are in the similitude of the Servant.

• Are you able to yield to the purpose of instructions He gives, opening you to the understanding of His will, where obedience means inconvenience, disenfranchisement, pain and insult?
• Are you willing and able to reach out to the weary, otherwise there’s no purpose to the wisdom He imparts?
• Will you react to injustice or be satisfied with His presence and timing for vindication? and
• Will you be satisfied with His help alone?

Truthfully answering these provides the bedrock of stability to those who are sent in the similitude of the Servant (John 20:21, Matthew 10:16,17 and Luke 10:3). 

Are you willing, are you ready?

==============

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21, emphasis added).

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues (Matthew 10:16-17).

Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3)

Photo by Anna Earl on Unsplash