The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Hebrews 2:18,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"Because he [Jesus Christ] himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
The first thought I have as I read this verse is that were I ever to attempt to justify or excuse myself before the Lord for anything I might think, do or say that the Lord was not pleased with (in other words, "sin"), I wouldn't get far. As I might say, "Lord, you just don't understand… the temptation is just incredible!" The words, "Been there, done that!" could be his response to me. He has been tempted just like us in every way and yet was without sin. See Hebrews 4:15. Because he has been tempted in every way we have, we will never be able to excuse ourselves before him on the basis of him not having an intimate acquaintance with that struggle.
But I find something wonderful about our Lord in this verse, something wonderful about his heart for us. The writer of Hebrews tells us it is because our Lord has been tempted in every way we have, he can sympathize with us in our weakness and is able (and desires) to help us!
When each of us embraces Jesus Christ in faith, we are filled with his Spirit who dwells in us. As we read Galatians 5:16-17, we learn what it is each of us knows through our own personal experience. We now have a desire to turn from sin and live lives that are pleasing to our God as the Holy Spirit desires what is contrary to our own sin natures. And, so we struggle. But in our struggle, we find as we draw near to God (James 4:8) he draws near to us and is able to help us in our time of need.
As I think of these things this morning, I'm drawn to that passage in Hebrews 4:14-16. Because our Lord has been tempted in every way, just as we are, we can (and are invited!) to approach "the throne of grace with confidence and receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Our wonderful merciful Savior, while not excusing or accepting sin in any way, forgives us our sin, understands our struggle and provides us what we need in our time of need. "No temptation has seized you accept what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
What a Savior!
The first thought I have as I read this verse is that were I ever to attempt to justify or excuse myself before the Lord for anything I might think, do or say that the Lord was not pleased with (in other words, "sin"), I wouldn't get far. As I might say, "Lord, you just don't understand… the temptation is just incredible!" The words, "Been there, done that!" could be his response to me. He has been tempted just like us in every way and yet was without sin. See Hebrews 4:15. Because he has been tempted in every way we have, we will never be able to excuse ourselves before him on the basis of him not having an intimate acquaintance with that struggle.
But I find something wonderful about our Lord in this verse, something wonderful about his heart for us. The writer of Hebrews tells us it is because our Lord has been tempted in every way we have, he can sympathize with us in our weakness and is able (and desires) to help us!
When each of us embraces Jesus Christ in faith, we are filled with his Spirit who dwells in us. As we read Galatians 5:16-17, we learn what it is each of us knows through our own personal experience. We now have a desire to turn from sin and live lives that are pleasing to our God as the Holy Spirit desires what is contrary to our own sin natures. And, so we struggle. But in our struggle, we find as we draw near to God (James 4:8) he draws near to us and is able to help us in our time of need.
As I think of these things this morning, I'm drawn to that passage in Hebrews 4:14-16. Because our Lord has been tempted in every way, just as we are, we can (and are invited!) to approach "the throne of grace with confidence and receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Our wonderful merciful Savior, while not excusing or accepting sin in any way, forgives us our sin, understands our struggle and provides us what we need in our time of need. "No temptation has seized you accept what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
What a Savior!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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