Isaiah 50:8
He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
In temptation the verse means resting on the Heavenly Father's wisdom and strength, confident that God is near to help and justify so that no one can contend or put to shame, looking to the Father rather than to own strength for vindication. Amid humiliation and abuse prompted by Satan through people, it means confidence that God is near to vindicate, challenging any adversary to come forward and contend, knowing God will help and accusers cannot ultimately condemn. Facing opposition when disciples could not understand and would later forsake, it means looking toward the future by relying in faith on the help God had promised. That confidence is an example to those who fear the Lord yet walk in darkness with no light, calling them to trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon God as was done.
The verse shows that God is near to justify His people when they contend with adversaries and satanic agencies. It contains precious instruction and assurance, giving principles that underlie the teachings of the Word to be impressed on the minds and hearts of students and appreciated as the highest instruction for any age or line of work. It strengthens spiritual eyesight and makes faith in the Word firm, because the words and teachings of Christ, which are the words and teachings of Jehovah, contain the highest instruction it is possible for man to gain. It is to stand forth clearly and distinctly when any seek to confuse minds, and each person has an individual work with it for his eternal interest that no one can do for him.
The verse stands in Isaiah 50-58, which leaders in the cause and those connected with institutions need to study, bringing the Lord's reproof for disregard of His reproofs, for accepting only chosen parts of His word without thorough consecration to God, and for neglected duty to warn the people what is truth and to give the reasons of faith. Received with faith and followed on to know the Lord, with all complaining and every evil work stopped, that section brings a manifestation of the Lord's power in the conviction and conversion of souls. The verse calls those in high positions and great responsibility who have had great light to stop choosing only part of the word, to come nigh, repent and be converted, and to put away evil works and complaining because their ways are not accepted of God. It requires a reformation through the congregation of Israel, and when that reformation comes Isaiah 60-61 will be understood and Isaiah 62-65 will appear to the conviction and conversion of souls.
The verse stands with Isaiah 48, 49, 51, and 52 as showing the work to be done now: a united and determined effort without delay, decided work in the cities with an increased number of workers, proclaiming the message throughout the world for soul-saving, bringing in means to carry it forward with no voice raised to hinder it, girding on the armor, reconsecration to be in harmony with the Lord God and with Christ His only begotten Son, resisting Satan's temptation to enter into commercial enterprises, investing means in the Lord's work, and asking the Lord for willingness to do His bidding. It is to be read with the whole of Isaiah 35 as promising words of inspiration given for the encouragement of the churches and to be claimed in times of emergency. It applies when disappointed by the spiritual lack seen in churches and in individuals, when meeting those not willing to be helped and strengthened, and when finding halting and disaffection among believers, calling for faith to stay strong in God who has been proved true in the past.
It meets a strong spirit of unbelief worked by evil angels in the form of believers who assemble in meetings not to receive a blessing but to counterwork the Spirit of God, so no remark of strange spirits is to be taken up to confirm evil angels in their work. In that emergency the rich promises of God and the words of Christ, yea and amen in Christ Jesus, are to be repeated as a strong testimony, leaning on His sure promise and taking hold of His mighty assurances in Christ and His word while bringing a true heart to the help of the Lord. This remembers Christ as the Instructor of angels before they fell who came to save souls under the jurisdiction of evil powers through the sacrifice of heaven seen in His life and death that gives everlasting life.