When Difficulties Descend

Life is difficult. I guess it always has been. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I am simply stating a fact that we all live with every day. There is no doubt that I am blessed beyond measure and have absolutely nothing to gripe about. All I am saying is that life is difficult and I know that is necessary for us to grow and get better.

Speaking of better, that is what the book of Hebrews is all about. The writer was attempting to get his readers to realize that everything is better in Jesus Christ. There is a passage in Hebrews that I would like for us to ponder for just a few moments. Just prior to chapter 4 and verse 14, my bible has the heading, “Our Compassionate High Priest”. When encircled with difficulties, it sure is nice to know that there is a compassionate Somebody out there who cares.

Verse 14 reads,”Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession”. The idea of “holding fast” encompasses using strength in order to seize or retain something. Well, what is it that we are to seize or retain? Our confession, our profession, our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior is what we need to grab on to with both hands and never let go. Our difficulties will try to divide us from Him, but we must never let that happen.

Jesus, as it turns out, is the perfect place to turn when those difficulties descend. in verse 15, The Hebrews writer states,”For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin”. Jesus can sympathize because He has been there and done that. When He says He knows how we feel, He means it. The cool thing is that He isn’y just a sympathizer, He is our standard bearer. He has walked in out shoes and has never sinned. He has never missed God’s mark. We would all do well to carefully follow His holy footsteps.

The best part is that in view of the fact that He has been there and done that and has done it to perfection, He empowers us with something very amazing for the times in life that we are struggling. Notice verse 16, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need”. Because of Jesus, we can boldly come before the throne! And it’s not just any throne. It is God’s throne of grace and mercy.. God knows that we will have times of need. Thankfullly, He loves us and wants what is best for us. Our loving Father wants to help His beloved children.

I don’t know about you, but I am thankful for my sympathizing Savior. I am thankful for my Prince that opened an avenue of prayer that I can boldly enter. I am thankful for a God that showers me with grace and mercy. Difficulties will come and go, troubles will rise and fall but God is steadfast and sure and He is in our corner as long as we are in His. Hold on to the mighty hand of God and watch all of those descending difficulties disappear into the background. God has it all under control. He always has and He always will.