Failure

Do you ever feel like a failure?  Especially when it comes to God?  I can tell you, a lot of the time, I feel like I have failed God.  Take Lent, for example.  I go into Lent every year with good intentions.  I want to pray, fast, immerse myself in scripture, spend time with God.  But, for some reason, I am a complete failure at it.  Maybe that is the point. 

I’m sure you’re thinking, “What in the world is she talking about?”, but I assure you, I have a point to this.  I recognize my shortcomings.  Do you?  If you are anything like me, then you do recognize your failures and shortcomings.  I’m saddened by the fact that I have no willpower, that I allow other things to influence what I spend my time doing, that I don’t spend the time that I should with my Savior. 

But read this:

Hebrews 2:14 – 18: “14 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, 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 pin 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.”

See that?  Jesus had to come to this earth to defeat my “slavery”.  My slavery to material things, my slavery to self, my slavery to others.  He did the same thing for you.  Jesus came to “make propitiation” for my sins, for your sins.  What does propitiation mean? Propitiation means “the turning away of wrath by an offering.”  That is what God sent Jesus to do for us.  He sent Jesus as an offering to cover our many sins. 

So, yes, I feel guilty for not being about to fully surrender myself during the Lenten season, for being a failure.  Yes, I feel guilty for not spending time with God in prayer, scripture study and supplication.  Yes, I feel guilty when I break every law He has told me not to break.  But, Jesus is there for me.  He is there to be my intercessor, to be my Savior, to be my defender.  And, he can be the same for you. 

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Times of Trouble

Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die?  Especially, such a brutal, horrifying death.  Hebrews 2:18 tells us why.  It says “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”  Have you ever thought about that?  Jesus was tempted, suffered, and died so that he would be able to help us.  He is our help in trouble.

 

We are in the middle of revival at our church.  You’ve heard it a thousand times before.  You know the saying, “God will never put on me more than I can handle.”  Well, I had a revelation last night.  This is simply not true, nor is it biblical.  Roger Cook, a pastor and church planting catalyst for the West Virginia Baptist Association, said these words that brought that saying into very clear perspective:  If God never gave you more than you could handle, you’d never have a reason to call upon him.  So, God will give us more than we can handle, so that we can fully rely on him.

And, so, my reading in Hebrews 2 simply tells me the same in a different way.  Jesus is able to help me when I’m in trouble because he’s been there.  He’s been through temptation, trials, trouble.  He really does know what I’m (and you are) going through.  God in Heaven can aid me because he’s experienced what I’m experiencing.  Isn’t that comforting?  Psalm 91:1-2 tells us that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’” 

If you are experiencing pain, struggles with life, troubles, take them to Jesus.  Jesus is there to love and heal you.  Just like the old hymn says,

“Have we trials and temptations?
  Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
  Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Take your problems to the Lord.  He’s there to help you!

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Superior

Hebrews is one of my most favorite books of the Bible.  I don't know who wrote it, but it has great insight as to who Jesus is.  Hebrews declares His superiority.  It just cannot be denied.  The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted.  It was against the law to be a Christian, unlike being a Jew.  They thought about going back to being Jewish.  But, the author told them to hold fast and keep the faith.  This is a message that Christians must hear today.  There seems to be so many things that Christians are facing today that they have not in the not so far past.  Hold fast, my friends, and keep the faith.

God has always revealed Himself when humanity needed it.  It tells us this in the very first verse of Hebrews, "...in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets...".  See, He knows when we need to hear from Him.  He goes on to say that, "...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."  Last days is not referencing "end times", but rather the time between Jesus' first coming and Jesus' second coming.  John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the word who explains the Father.  Jesus is the last and final prophet, the One who declares the Word of God like none other.  The writer wants us to realize that God is a personal God.  Not only does He reveal Himself, He knows us better than we know ourselves and He always chooses the best way to communicate to us.  

The writer wants to point out to us Jesus' superiority.  In verse 4, the writer says, "having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."  In the prior verses there are seven significant proofs that declare Jesus to be superior to the angels:

1.  Heir to all things (v.2)
2.  Creator of all things (v.2)
3.  Reflector of God's glory (v.3 - radiance)
4.  Revealer of God's character (v.3)
5.  Sustainer of the universe (v.3)
6.  Redeemer (v.3)
7.  Ruler of the universe (v.4)

Psalm 2:7 is quoted here in Hebrews 1:5.  It says, "You are my son, today I have begotten you".  2 Samuel 7:14 is also quoted saying, "I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son."  Jesus alone is the heir to all things.  He is not only "the firstborn", but also "the only begotten".  This right here proves that the angels are inferior to the Son.  

Psalm 104:4 is quoted in verse 7, "He makes his angel winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."  The role of the angels is to worship Him and it is their mission to minister to those who will inherit salvation.  

Hebrews 1:8-9 says this, "...Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."  Jesus is Eternal!

Hebrews 1:13 says, "And to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'?"  Only the Son has been summoned to the right hand of the Father.  Being at the right hand indicates power, prominence, influence and prestige.  With this close proximity to the Father, the Son can intercede on behalf of the saints.  

As a result of Jesus' sacrificial death, we have a responsibility to share this good news with the entire world.  Even to a world that sometimes refuses to listen.