Scripture:
In the days of His flesh, He [Jesus] offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10 (NASB)
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB)
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
It seems to me that there is a redemptive power in, a perfection gained through suffering. This is not the way I would have it; this is just the way it seems to be. I admit that this is not even the way I would like for it to be – I don’t like pain. But I do acknowledge and understand that pain serves a purpose. Just ask anyone who doesn’t feel pain (or their loved ones) how important and beneficial sensitivity to pain can be.
Lord, for me this is such a hard thing to accept, an unpleasant lesson to learn...but I know that with You all things are possible. I praise You for the wisdom of Your ways. Help me, Lord, to bear my own pain more bravely, to trust You through the trials, to depend upon and tap into Your strength. Thank You that You care about how we all feel, and You share Your sensitivity to our pain with us, that we can sympathize and empathize with others, and comfort them in the same way You comfort us. You have not left us alone or comfortless…
Song: To Worship You I Live, by Israel and New Breed
Matthew 26:39
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (NKJV)
Mark 14:36
And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NKJV)
Job 23:10
But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. (NKJV)
... and my journey with Him continues ...
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