Saturday, March 22, 2014

Not My Will (Mark 14:35-36)

After the last supper, Jesus went to the garden of Gathsemane to pray.  He knew his time had come and that what had been planned before the foundation of the Earth was going to come to pass.  He, with full understanding, knew exactly how he would experience the wrath of God the Father and that much more awaited him besides a cruel crucifixion.  As he entered into this experience, Jesus revealed something very important to us about trials, suffering and the will of God.  Jesus asked the father to allow this cup to pass before him: in other words, he was asking the Father that if there was any other way to accomplish the task at had, that he would do it instead of having him suffer under the holy hand of punishment.  However, he closed his request with words of submission to the Father's will.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:35-36)

Many may convey that the proper response for trials is cheerful submission to The Lord with gleeful praise for his sovereignty.  However if we just would be honest with ourselves, we know that we never respond to trials that way.  We usually struggle with the negative experience, question why it is occurring, and struggle in our soul yet finally believe that God is good and has allowed this for his glory and our good.  But what we have learned from Jesus is that it is alright to request that God remove the trial circumstances from our lives.  We do not need to pretend that we enjoy what he is doing and can express our fears and desires.  However, what we must eventually do, is submit to the Father.  Our prayers may open an unexpected opportunity that may remove us from the trial or they may not.  In either case, we must submit ourselves to the Father and his plan.  It may not be easy to do and the process may take a bit of time.  Allow yourself that time to pray and sort out the matter before God.  In the end, you will be submitting yourself to him and not to a standard of obedience that has be taught or preached to you.  God wants your heart to submit to him and not a standard.  Your salvation is personal and he wants your relationship with him to be personal as well.  Pray your way through and his grace will lead you to submission.

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