Ever just been tempted to give up and “throw in the towel” – things got so tough you just lost heart and felt you couldn’t go on in further. The temptation to go back to “BC living” (before Christ) was just pretty great?
Well, this morning I read a passage during “Coffee with the Lord” that reminded me of some reasons I have chosen to “hang in there” regardless of what life brings and faithfully follow Jesus! Here’s the passage…
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.“ (Hebrews 4:14–16)
HERE’S THE REASONS FOR “HANGING IN THERE” THAT I FOUND IN THE PASSAGE…
1) He’s got what it takes to help me! Jesus has “status and standing” with the Father! He’s ascended back into heaven, having suffered and died for our sin and conquered death! He’s at the Father’s right hand right now, interceding on our behalf (check out Hebrews 7.23-28, especially vs. 25)!
2) He understands what I’m going through and identifies with me in the challenges I’m facing. He is able to “empathize with my weakness” – “He has been tempted in every way” I have been. That’s comforting to me! I don’t have this “cosmic Christ” way up in heaven that is aloof from life’s challenges and difficulties! He went through it all – pain, suffering, accusation, discouragement, and incredible temptation. And He went through much more than I’ve ever faced. He understands!
3) Yet He overcame – He conquered it all! The passage says he experienced it all… “yet He did not sin!” Wow!! He can help me! He shows me how I can be an overcomer!
4) He’s got all the “grace” I need to overcome– to “hang in there” – to be “more than a conqueror” in what I’m facing! (Romans 8.37-39). “Grace” is God providing everything I need to do God’s will and fulfill His purposes in my life even though I don’t deserve it … that’s right, everything I need! This passage says that because of what Jesus, my “Great High Priest” did, I can “approach God’s throne with confidence to receive mercy and find all that I need to help me in my time of need!”
Pretty hard to beat all of that!! I’m determined to “hang in there” and trust Him!! Got a “Great High Priest”!! Gonna make it, I tell you!! Gonna make it!!
Coffee With The Lord 