Today’s Reading: Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus prays in the garden to have the cup taken from him. He ends his prayer with the statement “yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). He knew the agony that was before him. He knew the scorn and abuse he would take. Yet he chose to accept God’s will even though he asked to have it taken from him.  This is Biblical faith. Jesus asks for something while realizing that what he asks for is not as great as the father’s will.  He is faithful even when what he was facing was devastating.

How easy it is to be faithful to God when things are as we want. How easy it is to seek God when things are going our way. But how hard it is to have faith when we face something that is not merely unpleasant but painful and hard...

Biblical faith is not afraid to ask boldly for something while not being so presumptuous to assume that we know what is best. Jesus was faithful and his faithfulness brought about our greatest victory. It was through his obedience and faithfulness that we are saved.

Max Lucado writes, “Ponder the achievement of God. He doesn't condone our sin, nor does he compromise his standard. He doesn't ignore our rebellion, nor does he relax his demands. Rather than dismiss our sin, he assumes our sin and, incredibly, sentences himself. God's holiness is honored. Our sin is punished....and we are redeemed. God does what we cannot do so we can be what we dare not dream: perfect before God.”

When we face things that are unpleasant and seem unnecessary, it is helpful to look at Jesus’ faithfulness and be encouraged to move forward in faithfulness.