Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message) says:
14-16 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
"We don't have a high priest who is out of touch with our reality." That's very good news. In some of my "pity party" moments, I am tempted to question that. Does Jesus really know what I'm feeling?  Has He experienced some of the same emotions I have, such as feelings of failure, inadequacy, fear, doubt, confusion? Hebrews 4 also says, "He...experienced it all - all but the sin." He never once sinned. Many of my thoughts and feelings are the result of sin. Not all, but many of them. Unbelief and fear can trigger all sorts of feelings.

I KNOW that Jesus is fully aware of my struggles and feelings. I KNOW He has been with us from day one. I KNOW He has something in store for us. I KNOW He will never leave us or forsake us. I KNOW He disciplines those He loves. I KNOW many things, but there are moments in my days that I get down. When I take my eyes off Him, then I, like Peter when he walked on water, start to sink.

My goal is to take the feelings, thoughts, experiences, etc. that used to cause me to get discouraged and tempted to give up and use them to MOTIVATE me instead. I want struggles to inspire me to press on, push through, work harder, and resist giving in to fear, unbelief and doubt. For 30+ years I have not done this well. I want the next 30 years to be different, better.

Waves of fear and doubt try to creep in my heart and mind daily, even this morning. I must stop them immediately and run to Jesus, the great High Priest, who is interceding on my behalf. He is able to do that which I cannot. I want His faith, strength, life, and mind/heart.

Open the floodgates of Heaven, Jesus. Rain down.

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