This has been me recently:
…in the midst of the pressures of life- And I mean 10cm dilated, no epidural or drugs kind of pressure- my own strength is gone and I am just done.
I was scrolling through Facebook and “happened upon” a video clip of a group in Israel. I say “happened upon” very sarcastically because as a Christian led by Holy Spirit, there are few, if any, coincidences. I watched the clip for a moment and all of the sudden every pressure, every struggle, every frustration STOPPED. The only words I remember hearing were these:
God walked here.
The more I thought about it, the more personal it became. Not just any god walked here. My God. Elohim. Creator. Almighty. My God walked here.
We all know the story of Jesus’ birth. We celebrate it every year from as early as we can put up our Christmas decorations...(I think ours went up November 6ish last year. We had a fall family outing and then came home and put up our Christmas tree...) to as long as we can get by with leaving them up.
We know that Jesus came to redeem us- save our souls- but I think because we know the story so well, or maybe it’s because of the magnitude of what happened that night, we miss some things.
Our redemption didn’t come by God snapping His fingers or striking a deal with the devil.
God came here. He lived here. He had neighbors. He had to deal with people, relationships, expectations, and He had to put one foot in front of the other even when His physical body really didn’t want to do it.
We aren’t given a lot of detail about Jesus’ life before His ministry began, but we do know He lived here. And that is such a wonder that it not only draws me to love Him even more but it reinforces my confidence in His love for me.
Philippians 2:6-7 AMP
Who although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, but stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
Philippians 2:6-7 TPT
He existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human!
The Wuest translation says: and who did not, after weighing the facts, consider it a treasure to be clutched and retained at all hazards, emptied himself
He weighed the facts and determined that what He had to gain was worth what He would lay down.
Hebrews 4:15 AMPC
For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every way (respect) as we are, yet without sinning.
Infirmities here does not mean sickness. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, it means:
Want of strength, weakness
Of body, its native weakness and frailty
Of soul, want of strength and capacity
Strength to restrain corrupt desires, strength to bear troubles and trials and mental states (cares and anxieties)
I love that the definition of infirmities includes troubles, trials, cares and anxieties.
This tells us that Jesus understands the battles we face in our minds!
The battles with out thoughts and feelings. I also love the Amplified translation of this verse because of the phrase:
Liability to the assaults of temptation
Here on Earth, in this fallen world, we are susceptible and open to, the attack of the enemy, and his assault of temptation.
Have you every had Satan approach you with something just once? I haven’t been so fortunate. Usually it’s exactly as it is written here: an assault.
By definition an assault is direct combat with enemy forces; to attack violently.
It gives the imagery of a continuous attack, pressure or pushing.
And that is the enemy of our souls.
BUT because of Jesus, we can move into Hebrews 4:16 (AMP)!!
Let us then FEARLESSLY and CONFIDENTLY and BOLDLY draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Good help! Personalized for you!
The Wuest describes this help as seasonable help, which is help in the right season.
What season are you in right now? Whatever the season, the Father has the help we need. So we go to Him, FEARLESSLY, CONFIDENTLY, and BOLDLY.
In the midst of the pressures of life, the persecutions, the cares and anxieties.
Jesus said, (John 16:33)
In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and fruststration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain and undaunted]! For I have overcome the world! [ I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Be confident, certain and undaunted!
Because He came here, and He conquered here.
And if the creator of life, God Almighty came here-
Because I was that important, my life was that valuable, my purpose was that essential to His body... what would He not do for me?
Romans 8:32 (AMP)
He Who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all things.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (AMP)
For as many are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him to the glory of God.
Jesus is the Yes to every promise from God
and we say Amen, which means, so be it.
Whatever your life situation looks like right now, there is One Who understands, and He is your biggest advocate. What help do you need? He has made it available for you.
You can approach the throne of grace! You don’t have to come timidly, or ashamed or afraid. You come fearless, confident and bold.
You are not in this alone. You are not left to fight your battle alone.
Your God walked here.