He prays for me!
Job, the man whose story of horrific trials and tragedy
is told in the Bible book that bears his name, lost his family, fortune, and
health in succession! One of his friends,
who came to offer him comfort, wryly observed, "People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a
fire." (Job 5:7, NLT) Can I say,
“Amen, brother!”? No matter how smart
you are, how well you think you have prepared for tomorrow, how faithfully you
take your vitamins - from some unexpected corner, at some unexpected moment, difficulties and disappointments will find
their way to your door.
Christian, though we will have troubles, we are never
abandoned or alone. We have a High Priest who is
always praying for us! When I
get an email or a call that lets me know that someone has prayed for me I am
encouraged, not just because they care, but also because there is no gift that
compares to prayers offered on another's behalf. Jesus Christ is at the Father's right hand making
a case for me, asking for mercy on my behalf, directing the Spirit to keep me
on my feet when life is coming at me hard and fast. How wonderful is that? "He
is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always
lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy,
blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens."
(Hebrews 7:25-26, NIV)
During those hours leading up to His terrible ordeal on
the Cross, Jesus was thinking of us. John 17 says that Jesus prayed for His
disciples and for us. Through John’s
record we can eavesdrop on the outpouring of His heart. He said, "I have given them your word. And the
world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not
belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to
keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more
than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is
truth." (John 17:14-17, NLT) I
find interesting that Jesus does not ask the Father to make life easy or to
provide an escape from this world! I pray
that way sometimes! "God, let me outta here! Change this situation. Just let me have an easy time of it
today." What a childish prayer.
We are wiser if we ask for courage and obedience, if we
pray that our steps will be guided from destruction, that we will be full of
the Spirit's life and distinct as the people of God in a dark world, and that
we will understand God's word and will.
Are you stressed and stretched today? Remember this:
He is praying for you! You are not alone, forgotten, or forsaken.
He asks the best for you, not the easy!
There is grace that is more than adequate; it is
abundant. That grace will " keep you on your feet, standing tall in his
bright presence, fresh and celebrating,” pouring out praise to “our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus
Christ, our Master, giving Him “
glory, majesty, strength, … to the end of all time." (Jude 24-25, The
Message)
Remember this. Our
High Priest understands our needs for He was tempted and tested in all the ways
we are. When you're wrestling with life
and the will of God, remember He did, too.
As He prayed in Gethsemane, under terrible pressure and in great
anguish, He pleaded for another way, but eventually came 'round to surrender,
"Not my will, Father, but Yours, be done!" So He understands when you're pressured,
squeezed, stressed, broken, disappointed, distraught, confused, or afraid! He is praying for you.
________________________________
Jesus! What a
friend for sinners!
Jesus lover of my
soul!
Friends may fail
me, foes assail me;
He, my Savior,
makes me whole.
Hallelujah what a
Savior.
Hallelujah what a
Friend.
Saving, helping,
keeping, loving,
He is with me to
the end.
Our Great Savior - Chapmen, public domain
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