Commenting on several early Virginia preachers put in jail for preaching, recalling Paul and Silas singing in the Philippian Jail, Dr. Greg Dixon shares a song that can help anyone enduring imprisonment or God forbid, criticism:
"What would the nightingale care if the toad despised her singing? She would sing on and leave the cold toad to his grouchy thoughts and shadows. And what cared these preachers for the sneers and scoffs of men who grovel upon the earth? They sang on in the ear and the bosom of God."
Isaiah embodies the suffering of Christ and disciples with this powerful verse: Isaiah 50:7 "For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
When trouble comes, keep in mind that He is the guide along the path, and He permits the trouble. Knowing the truth enables us to do as Isaiah has Christ doing, we "set our face like a flint" and keep on trucking.
I learned something nearly 40 years ago when I really made a mess out of things. When I experience the brethren being "nice" feel the hard looks and freezing shoulders, I ignore them and keep my face set like a flint toward what I believe to be God's will. If they want to talk, I listen. Walk with HIM.
