Faces Like Flint

There is saying that is not used that much anymore, but perhaps it should be.  “Keep your chin up!”  I don’t know if it’s old fashioned or if it just seems impossible in the face of life’s challenges, and so we just don’t say it anymore.  I like it better than “hang in there” because that sounds kind of desperate- like your barely hanging on and hoping that somehow you don’t let go and end up at the bottom of a canyon somewhere.

There’s also a statement that the prophet Isaiah made thousands of years ago that resembles this encouraging word that we rarely use today.  After realizing that the Lord’s call is upon him, not only to follow God but to be used as a source of encouragement to the people, he reflects on how to sustain himself.  He says,

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.

I have set my face like flint. That’s even less likely of a saying to be used today than “keep your chin up,” but it basically means the same thing.  Isaiah was saying that he wouldn’t be moved or discouraged or become weary with the way things were going, the way people may have treated him, or even with his calling.  Do I set my face like flint?  Am I able to have the kind of resolve that is hopeful even when things seem kind of hopeless.

This really speaks to those of us that are not only trying to keep our own chins up but are trying to encourage others to do the same.   It’s the very context of Isaiah’s words that have profound meaning.  You see, he’s been commissioned by God to speak words to “sustain the weary.”  It can truly become wearisome if the ones we are trying to bring hope to just don’t want it.  And yet, we can’t stop.  We have to set our faces like flint and be an encourager no matter what.

I feel compelled to do that for anyone who is reading this.  Stay strong!  Don’t give up! Keep your chin up! Look right into the storm and set your face like flint! It won’t be long until you see the answer to your prayer come to pass and it can be as soon as this moment when you sense the hope of God even during the waiting.

-peter

Chariots and Horses

This morning I was reminded of a statement made by a King.  He wasn’t a perfect King, although we are told that he really had a heart for God.  David had his share of ups and downs; sin and holiness.  There were days when the Lord was first in his life and days when he became complacent.  He was a king, a leader, a man who knew that the only reason he had such a position was because God chose Him.

I wish that all of the leaders I know had this kind of an attitude.  First of all, that they understood that they were only human and subject to weakness, failure and mistakes.  This is a key to having integrity, for as soon as a leaders (spiritual or political leaders) become filled with pride, they set themselves and those who they lead up for a fall.  I see this happening in the state of New Hampshire where I live.

Same Sex marriage is a huge issue in our state right now and those who lead us in the house and senate are making nonsense decisions.  They are pandering to uncommon sense arguments and taking on attitudes of arrogance and pride.  I even had one senator tell me that she was going to vote in opposition to Same Sex marriage, only to do the opposite.  Somehow our leaders think that they are not serving people anymore, and that they don’t necessarily have to have integrity or be people of their word.

David made this statement, “Some trust in chariots and horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God.”  In saying that, he was saying that he understood that we can all get caught up in personal power.  If there was anyone who had the chariots and horses to lean upon, it was King David.  He built Israel’s army and saw his share of great military victories.  I imagine that the thing that kept him from swaying too far from God was reminding himself of the early days.  He knew what it was to see God’s hand defeat the lion and the bear and the giant Goliath.  He didn’t take on an arrogant attitude.

Chariots and horses will come and go, but God’s name will stand forever.  I want to be the kind of leader that does not pander to opinion and does not take on personal power.  I’m grateful for grace, because I have failed in this at times.  In saying that, I also want to hold other leaders accountable for riding on their own chariots and horses without regard to God’s will.   We should do that by praying for them and speaking the truth in love.  You have permission to do that to me as well!

-Peter