Had a really good time at church this morning. It's wonderful to be in a church that really respects the Christian calendar at the beginning of Holy Week.

The sermon was on Isaiah 50 and the call for Christians to remain obedient in the face of suffering and to trust God to sustain during and through it.

There are some areas of my life where I have seen God bring me through a long period of obedience through "suffering" but there are others where I refuse to obey God at all.

I leave you with the passage from Isaiah.

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,

to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning,

wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,

and I have not been rebellious;

I have not drawn back.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting.

7 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.

8 He who vindicates me is near.

Who then will bring charges against me?

Let us face each other!

Who is my accuser?

Let him confront me!