03/23/2019
Do you struggle with the will of God? Does He ask you to do something you feel you can’t, or that you really don’t want to do? In times such as this how are we to behave? In the moments of decision what forces must be drawn together so that we don’t falter in our faith? In such times of incredible struggle between our bodies, minds, and souls, where do we look for help... how do we choose?
“saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:42-44 ESV
Through the most intense and excruciating struggle that a man has ever endured Jesus walked us through life, death, Hell, and glory, to show us how to approach the will of God, and to bring us God’s grace. Yet as this story unfolded, and the end was approaching all the more quickly, there was indecision... and it had to be dealt with. Jesus appealed to God for another way, a modification to His will, one that would save Him from the passion that was awaiting Him.
“if you are willing, remove this cup from me.”
Luke 22:42 ESV
We will all face a hardship, a time when doing the will of God seems impossible for us, or the pain it requires causes us to quiver as we choose between God’s will, and our own. In the face of such a challenge, will the god we choose be our own personal comfort, or the one True God... Jehovah? In just such a time the final exam will be administered, and we will be required to decide the outcome of our entire life’s efforts in faith. How will we choose?
When we think of Jesus we see the perfect Lamb of God... His Son, and yet in that moment of decision the Father sent help to Him. We too need help; if Jesus required it then most certainly we do!
“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.”
Luke 22:43 ESV
God will strengthen us when His will is daunting, and we are casting our eyes about looking for release from it. He sends an Angel to us too, and lest we forget, the Holy Spirit is already there to arm us with the Word of God. But, even so, the choice requires much of us, and we will find ourselves in agony. We will be conflicted, and battered from every side by indecision and temptation. How will we choose?
Our prayers will humble us, and nearly crush the life out of us as we wrestle with who we are, and how we will choose the will we will follow; but choose we must. This is the nature of man that he come to the crossroads of his faith and decide which way he will go. Will it be to the right, or to the left? How will we choose?
“and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:44 ESV
If you are struggling with the will of God do not lose hope! This time of struggle and suffering has always been there... Eve chose the fruit, Adam chose Eve, Cain slew Abel, Moses struck the rock, David chose Bathsheba, and Jesus chose the cross... you see, we all wrestle, and we all must choose, but you are better equipped than those before Jesus, because He abides in you, and in Him you not only have an example of how to choose correctly, but the grace and power of God to accompany you. You have not only your prayers, but the intercession of Christ... Now make your choice.
“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Luke 22:42 ESV
So, as we face the hard choices in the will of God there is much to draw comfort from, we all must choose, we all have help to strengthen us, and if by some bad choice we fail to do His will... there is God’s grace flowing through Jesus, so that with a contrite heart... we can make another go at it.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your perfect will that guides me through my life and faith. I thank you Holy Father for the choices I must make in it along the way, and the help you have provided me. I thank you most Father for your Son Jesus Christ who has shown me how to choose between your will and mine, how to pray, how to endure the suffering, how to put you before myself, and the grace that awaits me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose will is perfect and whose mercy is completed by His grace. Praised be your name Merciful Father, because there is goodness in your heart, and grace in your eyes that look upon me. All Glory be to you my God who shepherds His children, and whose rod and staff are kind as He prompts them to enter the gates of His will. Your love endures forever Father, and in no other is my choice.
“And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."”
Luke 22:45-46 ESV
Rich Forbes