We do not follow a God who is far off, who does not understand us or our temptations and struggles daily.  Our God knows us, and sympathizes with us in our weakness.  Psalm 103:13-14 – “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.  For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” 

Sometimes I wonder how much of our failures lie simply in being too prideful to be honest with ourselves and God.  If you want to follow God, but you find yourself saying, I don’t have the strength or the will to do what God calls me to do – that’s exactly where you should be!  The encouragement then is to call out to God who will supply you daily with grace to do what you cannot do on your own.  Jesus is the foundation and the fulfillment of this compassionate grace towards us.

Hebrews 2:14-18 – “ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Apart from Christ, we would life selfishly, for our own interests, because at some point you are going to die, and you might as well live it up as much as you can now.  That life is a life of slavery – you want more of life, knowing that at some point you will die.  You strive after happiness, knowing it is outside your control.  That is bondage.  If we stop and actually think about it, that is a crazy, depressing way to live.

For the “offspring of Abraham” (Christian believers according to the promise of God – Rom 9:7), Jesus has defeated the power of death and bondage to sin.  We know that our life doesn’t end.  We’re never going to die.  What are these 70, 80, 90 years compared to the eternity in Heaven that awaits us.  That is the freedom with have in Christ – to be free to pursue our eternal joy in knowing, worshiping, and experiencing God now.  Moreover, when we are suffering and tempted, we are no longer alone in that.  We know that our God has experienced it all, and therefore is able to be compassionate and walk with us in our difficult times.

Brothers and Sisters, if you are in Christ, you are a new creation.  If Jesus is your hope in all things, and you love Him, and are following after Him, know that He can sympathize with your every temptation, hurt, and failing.  Nothing is a suprise to Him, He is for you every moment of every day.  His mercies are new each morning, and you are free to right now, pursue joy in your relationship with him.  Let go of pursuing joy apart from Him, joy you cannot control and that will never ultimately satisfy the longings of your heart.  Trust Him, lean on Him, and remember He loves you enough to die for you.  He will never leave or forsake you.  His heart is for your joy, and He cannot give a greater source of joy than Himself as God to you.  Run to living water, rest in Christ.

Grace and Peace,

Adam