Just after the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples to pray. The purpose of the prayer was to prepare Himself spiritually for what was ahead of Him. The hour of His crucifixion was at hand, and He had a request to make to His heavenly Father.
Jesus went to the garden with His disciples but took Peter, James, and John further into the garden with Him to pray.
“He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”
– Matthew 26: 27-29 (NIV)
Isaiah 43
I am with you in the fire, in the storm, and the valley. I will never forsake you.
In the hours preceding His death, Jesus asked God to save Him from the suffering He was bound to endure. It was a journey that would take a toll on Him physically, spiritually, and psychologically. While as the Son of God He was well aware of His fate on the cross long before He was born, as the son of man, His human nature struggled to accept it. Ultimately, He asked for God’s will to prevail.
Sometimes we struggle to understand what’s happening to us or around us. We find ourselves in situations that seem contrary to God’s plan and promises for our lives. He says His plans for us are good, but along the way, we might be hit with challenges that make us wonder if He has forsaken us.
One of the keys to overcoming such dark seasons is to hand over to God what you don’t understand because He knows everything. He sees the end from the beginning and knows it will all work out in your favor. If you can block out all the noise and stay still, He will reveal Himself to you. He says, “I am with you in the fire, in the storm, and the valley. I will never forsake you.”
When you’re in the fire you might not understand the importance of it, but when you come out, you’ll be stronger, purer, and wiser. When you make mistakes, it’s never a loss but a lesson. After the test, you’ll receive your reward, and God will take you higher and higher.
Persevering through the storm
Abraham was a friend of God. He was blessed with wealth and good health, but more than anything else in the world, he wanted a child. When Abraham was 75 years old, God promised him that He would have a son, but the promise wasn’t fulfilled until he was 100 years old and his wife, Sarah, was 90.
Surely, God’s promise came to pass, but Abraham had to wait for 25 years to receive his miracle.
Patience and perseverance are important parts of the Christian walk. Many of us are impatient and want all of our miracles to happen at once. You see, God’s ways are higher than ours, and sometimes we need to be “ripe” before we can experience our miracles.
Just as we can’t give solid food to babies (1 Corinthians 3:2), we also have to be mature spiritually to handle some of the blessings God has in store for us. So, wait patiently for Him, and while you’re at it, grow in faith, knowledge, and understanding through His Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
Even as the Son of God, Jesus wasn’t exempted from the difficulties of life. No one is. We all face trials and tribulations in our Christian walk. There are going to be battles, but never forget that God is your protector, deliverer, and provider. Hold on to Him, keep your faith in Him.
Success never comes without some pain, tears, and disappointment, but you can always reach out to God for clarity, peace, and guidance. Most importantly, trust in the Lord. Submit to His plan. Not your will but His be done.
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