They rose up and thrust Him out of the city... that they might throw Him down over the cliff. But He passing through the midst of them went His way (Luke 4:29-30)
It is comforting know, that of the many things that come and try to derail us as Christians, destroy us, throw us off the edge of a cliff, that He who is in us has seen and lived through it all, and He passed through the midst of them and went His way. Satan could not derail Him, His own emotions and sufferings couldn't throw Him in self pity and derail Him, people's ideas about Him, their accusations, their threats, their mockery; none of it could move Him.
He stayed in the place of His Father's choosing, in the form He was given to come. He could have, He said, called 12 legions of Angels. He didn't. He bore the humility of the cross long before He hung on the cross. Peter drew His sword to protect Him the night they came. But He said, "Peter put away your sword! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" None of it, none of it moved Him. He simply went His way.
What cup has He given you to drink today? Is this same Christ in you that has overcome the world? Then it may be comforting for you to know that in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God .... so we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was rather in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 2:17) (Hebrews 4:15).
So put away all your swords dear believer. Sit in the place of His choosing. Sit in the fires of His suffering until you see Him by your side. You are not alone. He knows how you feel. He was tempted to feel all of those things just like you. He is not pointing the finger at you. He just wants you to be still and dare not move.
He did not say a word. He gave His hands to the cross. He was crucified. And on that day He trampled the enemy under His feet. He will do it for you. Start praising and thanking Him now. He is with you in the fire. Let Him fill you there. Give your life to Him there. Don't try to escape. Only ask Him what he would have you to do. There He will begin speaking with you, strengthening you. He will begin to show you the way through.
Then take His hand, feel His power, feel His Spirit rising in you, walk with Him toward the morning light. He is empowering you, speaking to you, strengthening you that you may rise from that place, to the rising dawn. Nothing may change, but everything will change. He is going to bring you up out of that place step by step until you walk right through the midst of it and go your way.
It is comforting know, that of the many things that come and try to derail us as Christians, destroy us, throw us off the edge of a cliff, that He who is in us has seen and lived through it all, and He passed through the midst of them and went His way. Satan could not derail Him, His own emotions and sufferings couldn't throw Him in self pity and derail Him, people's ideas about Him, their accusations, their threats, their mockery; none of it could move Him.
He stayed in the place of His Father's choosing, in the form He was given to come. He could have, He said, called 12 legions of Angels. He didn't. He bore the humility of the cross long before He hung on the cross. Peter drew His sword to protect Him the night they came. But He said, "Peter put away your sword! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" None of it, none of it moved Him. He simply went His way.
What cup has He given you to drink today? Is this same Christ in you that has overcome the world? Then it may be comforting for you to know that in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God .... so we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was rather in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 2:17) (Hebrews 4:15).
So put away all your swords dear believer. Sit in the place of His choosing. Sit in the fires of His suffering until you see Him by your side. You are not alone. He knows how you feel. He was tempted to feel all of those things just like you. He is not pointing the finger at you. He just wants you to be still and dare not move.
He did not say a word. He gave His hands to the cross. He was crucified. And on that day He trampled the enemy under His feet. He will do it for you. Start praising and thanking Him now. He is with you in the fire. Let Him fill you there. Give your life to Him there. Don't try to escape. Only ask Him what he would have you to do. There He will begin speaking with you, strengthening you. He will begin to show you the way through.
Then take His hand, feel His power, feel His Spirit rising in you, walk with Him toward the morning light. He is empowering you, speaking to you, strengthening you that you may rise from that place, to the rising dawn. Nothing may change, but everything will change. He is going to bring you up out of that place step by step until you walk right through the midst of it and go your way.
