The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
This is not so easy, even after the LORD opens our ears. With Peter we can receive from the Father in the Spirit the revelation of the identity of Jesus.
Peter said to him in reply,
"You are the Christ."
But next, when we simply hear of or imagine difficulties we already begin to turn back.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
When we first come to faith in who Jesus is it is pure grace from God. But we are not called to receive this grace only once. We continually be open to faith and to the obedience of faith. Even after our ears are opened we must not turn back. Once we know that Jesus is the Christ we must still follow him to the cross.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
There is something valid about this faith that knows the truths of God. But there is something missing. By hope, it needs to take action in love or the faith itself isn't what it is meant to be. We aren't meant to receive the revelation of who Jesus is and then go back to our normal lives. We believe in order to follow. In fact faith itself makes following possible.
The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
The Bible teaches us that he who perseveres to the end will be saved (see Matthew 24:13). There is no human effort that can attain this. But faith and grace are not an autopilot that allow us to sleep and see it happen. God desires our response and his power makes it possible.
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
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