I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.
Wayne Gretsky
Gretzky wasn’t the fastest skater on the ice or the toughest, yet he made a hall-of-fame career skating to where the puck was going to be.
Jesus Christ wasn’t the kind of deliverer most of the Israelites were looking for, yet he fulfilled His God-sent mission and changed human history.
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51 (NKJV)
I love how the New King James Version says “He set his face.” Christ was proactive, rather than reactive, concerning God’s plan for His life. He skated to where the puck was going to be.
But how did He do this? The answer is, despite a demanding schedule, Jesus prioritized His fellowship with God. Large crowds followed Him everywhere, yet He “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”–Luke 5:16 (NIV)
Notice the picture I chose for this post. One of the young hockey players has his face guard ready. The other does not.
Kind reader, have you “set your face” toward God’s plan?
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
43 responses to “Have You “Set Your Face?””
You’re welcome CG. Sorry, I’m just now catching up with my comments. I am grateful for your input. God Bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I truly appreciate your reading and commenting, Nancy. Like you said, at this date and time it is best to keep our “lamps trimmed and burning”🪔 for the Lord. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Set your face” deserves deep consideration during these times of intense problems and uncertainty in our world. Is our allegiance and determination set in the right direction, should worse come to worse? Thank you for a thought-provoking, recalibrating post, David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mitch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brief and potent, David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reminder. Praise God for His faithful who keep us pointed in the right direction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Carrie. Me too. Thank you for your thoughts. Blessings!
LikeLike
Praise Praise God yes I set my face sometimes it gets stuck on my self and my foolish pride . But then I set my face on God and he forgives and makes my face to shine
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Funmi. Thank you for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed! Determination is a big part of it. That, and not thinking we can walk with God totally under our own power. We need His help daily. Thank you for sharing. God Bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reminder and the encouragement. I’ve often thought about how Jesus set his face like flint. Life is tough. We have to be determined to walk it with God, to take refuge in God, to rest in His strength, and to allow Him to guide us through whatever he allows. Blessings on your day, David!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reminder David! Sometimes we do need to hear this
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, I did not notice that there was no puck. And yes, I am a stickler. It’s a blessing and a curse. 🙂 Hope you have a good day tomorrow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your reasoning here, Betty. You are a real stickler for detail! I bet you are the best at those “How is this picture different from that one” challenges. I knew the photo I chose was a face off and noticed there was no puck. But I did not notice that these two young men are on the same team.
Thank you for sharing. Sorry, it took me so long to respond. It’s been quite a day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another uplifting post, David. I can identify with how our quiet time helps us “set our face.” A good thing to do each morning. That’s what I’m doing now (it’s 6:30 am). Thanks for your post. Please forgive me, but I just have to say: the two skaters in the feature photo look like they are doing a face-off; however, they are on the same team. I guess it’s practice. Sorry, St. Louis is such a big hockey town. 🙂 How about if I say, God’s always on our team, even during the times when our face isn’t set. We are just so much better prepared for life when it is.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Chris. I appreciate your input. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this analogy! We need to prioritize God’s plan for our lives and move towards where He’s called us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The verse from Philippians fits perfectly, brother. Thank you for sharing! Yes indeed. We are fixing our eyes on Jesus and looking ahead. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 3:14
Your lovely post reminded me of this verse David; if we are pressing on we are looking where we are going or to Whom we are going! Thankyou for this brother, God bless you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hebrews 12:1-3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so embarrassed 😳 The scripture you mentioned is the one I shared in my post!☺️
LikeLike
Amen, Brother. I think the address is Hebrews 12:1? Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, ultimately, the book of Luke leads up to the ultimate sacrifice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gn4BePTT0M
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame. Tag, you’re it. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, now you have me curious, Crystal. I’ll go check out Luke 9:51. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
My pastor has been preaching a series from Jerusalem/Israel and mostly from Luke. It has been so good. Luke 9:51 is a great example of what to do, especially in the middle of a sacrifice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author of our faith 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Praise God!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mandy. We all have “feet of clay.” But we can still set our faces like “flint” toward God’s purpose for our lives. Pardon me, I just heard a great sermon at church and feel like preaching a little myself!☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed, Bridget! And His strength is perfect—even when we fall short. 🙏Lord, help us turn toward you always ❤️.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! I appreciate your readers comments as well! Have a blessed Sunday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frankly, it’s hit and miss for me too, Lade. Living in fellowship with Christ, in this fallen world, isn’t always an easy task. Some days, the best I can do is to keep showing up. Thank you for your transparency. There are many of us who feel the same. May God bless you in your Christian walk!
LikeLike
I picked the “proactive” and added it to “fellowship with God”. Currently thinking of how I can work that out to” always” have my face always set towards God. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an encouraging word! I pray every morning and every moment we can remember to set our faces towards the Lord! 🙏🙌
LikeLiked by 3 people
Agreed, brother! Thank you, and God Bless.
LikeLike
Very good point.
Spending time a alone in nature with our Heavenly Poppa is the best thing every Christian needs to do every day.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Typos are ever my enemy lol
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughts, Andy. I hope you don’t mind, I edited your comment to say what I thought you were trying to say. Part of it was gobbledygook—jumbled up.
Setting my face, for me, means once I know God’s latest orders I start heading in that direction—straight away (as you say in the UK)
So, I suppose it’s a matter of resolve. Once we know God’s will for our lives we latch on to it with bull dog tenacity. Easier said than done, but definitely doable. Jesus did. And so have many of His friends. You and me too, brother. God’s best to the Berry Bunch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Have you set your face?”
What a title for a post!! It’s a list in, and of itself!
Yes….great question
Wonder how that should look (asking for a friend…)
I love encouraging and comforting posts…ones that allow you space to breathe in, and demand you breathe out too.
Awesome, and this will be the focus for our Family Focus later!!
Thank you
Andy B
LikeLiked by 3 people