Asking, Accepting, and Receiving

Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. Luke 22:42, 43 (English Standard Version)

I find two interesting things transpiring in this passage. First, Jesus is asking for the removal of something from His life. Many thoughts arise pertaining to what is meant by the “cup” and I am in no position to explain what it means. What I am centering in on is the fact that He asked for its removal. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul asking for his thorn in the flesh to be removed. In both cases, the answer was “No.” God will not remove from our life that which He purposes to be in our life. That which He will use and work through. Removal comes only as God deems it necessary and in line with His ways, will, plans, and purposes. Both Paul and Jesus entrusted their situations to God and desired God’s will to be carried out.

When God’s response is “no” or “wait” it is imperative that we follow the examples of these men and others like them. We must allow God to speak the words of Isaiah 55:8,9 to us, “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thought.” God alone knows what He will bring out of the very thing of which He denies the removal. He knows the eternal purposes He will fulfill. Although there may be tears in the midst of bending the knee, when it is all said and done we will come to acknowledge His way was best.

The second thing that stands out to me is that strengthening for Jesus came in the form of an angel. Often are the times when strength and encouragement come to us through the hands of a chosen vessel of God. If Jesus was willing and able to receive the strength in this way, then I can give myself permission to do the same. While I have never (to my knowledge) been strengthened by an angel, I have numerous individuals who come to mind as those who strengthened me. They strengthened me with their words, Scripture, prayer, listening ears, and open arms. They strengthened me with comforting thoughts as well as tough love. They were the hands, heart, and face of Jesus to me in many ways and I lift up a prayer of praise and thanks for them today. How much my life would lack without them.

I leave you with two thoughts. First, Scripture gives us permission to ask for the removal of things from our life as long as we leave the answer to God and desire His will above our own or others. Second, be willing to receive the encouragement God sends in the ways He chooses to send it.

Father, thank you for the times You removed the things I asked. Thank you for the times they remained. Thank you for the ones You have used to encourage me. All three means have shaped my life profoundly. Amen.

Knees to the Earth - Watermark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AQL8Zk2sOk&feature=fvw

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.