Today's Scripture:

Isaiah 50:7-9 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. 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! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
This is about choosing to trust God over despair, even when everything around you points to failure or impossibility. It’s not easy. Even Jesus Himself experienced deep anguish in Gethsemane and suffering on the cross. In His darkest moment, He cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”—“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Yet, He knew He would not be ultimately disgraced. The Father would not allow suffering and death to have the final word. Instead, He used the cross—the ultimate symbol of pain and sacrifice—as a beacon of hope for all nations, calling them to turn to the Lord and worship Him, especially in their suffering. Jesus endured all of this to redeem our pain, fear, and sorrow, so that we could hold onto the hope that God can turn things around.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
I want to share a personal story of how God turned things around for me despite suffering. When I was 10 years old, my older brother died in an accident. He was just 11 months older than me; he was Batman and I was Robin. Losing him was devastating for our family. When tragedy strikes, it's easy to turn to guilt, replaying all the "what-ifs" and wondering if there was something we could have done differently. But it was no accident that just a few weeks earlier, we had started attending a small Presbyterian church in my hometown, Tampico. That church became a lifeline for us. They surrounded our family with love, showing up with prayers, songs, and even a parade of casseroles. At the time, I didn’t understand the words of their worship songs, but I felt their kindness, their faith, and their unwavering trust in Jesus. Looking back, I now realize that it was through them that we learned to set our face like flint—to stand firm in faith even in the midst of pain. They showed us Jesus in action, and through them, God began to turn things around for us. I could share countless stories of how God has redeemed brokenness in my life, but one moment stands out as the highlight and joy of my journey. Fast forward to when I was 29, I became a dad for the first time. My daughter Karen was born on November 6. That date may seem ordinary to most, but for me, it was a holy moment because it was also my brother’s birthday. In that instant, the first words that filled my heart were from Psalm 30:11: "You have turned my mourning into dancing for me." God, in His perfect way, reminded me that He is always working, always redeeming. And the most beautiful thing, I know He’s not done yet.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
This message applies to me and to anyone going through suffering. In difficult times, hold tightly to Jesus' promise: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) No matter what we face, we can find peace in knowing that He has already won the victory.

About Francisco Garibay:
My name is Francisco Garibay. I’m a pastor at Grace and lead Grace en Español. I also work as a Software Developer for Sensia. My wife and I have been happily married for 25 years, and we are blessed with three wonderful children—Karen, Maya, and Andrés.
We have been covenant partners for 23 years, and I have been leading Grace en Español for 20 years.