Signs of faithful service.
Whether this is intended to point to the Person and work of the Messiah, or to that of some living prophet, it treats of the faithful servant of God; it is applicable to any one among us "that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant" (Isaiah 50:10). We find here marks of fidelity in holy service.
I. COMING INTO THE SHADOW OF PERSECUTION. In doing this the faithful one:
1. Follows in the train of the noblest men of ancient time (Matthew 5:12).
2. Treads in the footsteps of the Divine Master (Matthew 16:24, Matthew 16:25; Matthew 10:22-25).
3. Takes the necessary consequence of his faithfulness. For the man who fearlessly speaks the truth, and unwaveringly follows the example of Christ, must come into conflict with the error and the evil which is in the world. He must
II. RESOLUTELY PERSISTING IN THE PATH OF FAITHFULNESS. Not "turning away back; setting our face like a flint"—immovably determined to go on in the direction in which truth is pointing, to which God is calling. "None of these things [neither bonds nor afflictions] move me," is the language of Christian fidelity (see Acts 20:24; Philippians 1:20).
III. FINDING REFUGE IN GOD. "The Lord God will help me; and I know that I shall not be ashamed" (Isaiah 50:7); "He is near that justifieth me" (Isaiah 50:8). Let him that obeyeth and walketh in darkness trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God—upon his near presence, upon his parental pity, upon his upholding grace, upon his overruling, victorious power, which will make truth and righteousness to triumph in the end.—C.