Has you heart even been troubled? Maybe even now? Troubled over being attacked by others, or how someone you care about has responded to you, or a situation a loved one is going through. Maybe it's something at work, or with your children, or a decision you've made that troubles your heart.
As I continue to read how Jesus spent his final days leading up to His death Luke 19:47 gives us this description of Jesus:
"Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him."
It must have been extremely difficult for Jesus to go out each day to teach and interact with the very people that just days later would be yelling for Him to be crucified. Perhaps you've worked in an hostile environment with people you felt were out to get you, or didn't like you? The pain and agony it takes just to get up in the morning and work another day can almost be overwhelming and paralyzing. Jesus must have felt this. In John's description of this same day he recorded Jesus saying this:
"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"
I realize the weight on Jesus' shoulders was not only His current environment, but also what was coming in the days ahead. It gives me tremendous comfort to know that God can relate to my situation. Jesus' heart was troubled just like mine often is. In those days when I'm not sure I can go on, when everything inside of me in screaming to stay in hiding and not go out, when I've got to face my toughest critics and enemies, I know that God can relate to all those circumstances... because they're what Jesus went through.
However, I'm also challenged by Jesus' response. He asks if He should try to find a way out, to appeal to God to save Him, to make His life easier, to escape... No He says "It was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" What an awesome response. What an amazing perspective to have. Even in the midst of his most difficult circumstances, Jesus wanted God's will for His life. He wanted to fulfill all God had sent Him to do. It was more important to Jesus that God be recognized and honored then for Him to be comfortable and safe.
What perspective do you have in your darkest, most difficult moments? Do you place your comfort above pursuing what God wants?
I am terribly troubled and lost. I want to trust God with all my heart, lifting my burdens and pain. In all these problems in life, God will help me
Posted by: TroubledRyn | August 24, 2011 at 09:37 AM