Not My Will

Luke 22:42-43 – "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. (NIV)

A traumatic event in my life many years ago led me to pray these simple but difficult words of Jesus: "Yet not my will, but Yours be done." At that time, I was ready to surrender to God and submit my entire life to Him. In a moment, God filled me with a peace beyond understanding. Considering the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:28 — "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (NIV) — I realized that there was nothing to fear, since God's will is always intended for the good of those whom He has called according to His purpose.

Many people suffering from the anguish of illness, grief, family or job problems, or financial loss, should remember that Jesus also experienced anguish: a sorrow much more intense than anything we could ever experience. Depending on His Father for strength, Jesus persevered until the end.

Hebrews 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

If Jesus, being perfect, needed to pray, how much more do we need to pray, trusting that God will help us to endure. With the Lord's strength, we can overcome all life's trials, while we await the blessings that are sure to follow. When our faith is being tested, let us remember Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. We can be assured that God's plan is always best and that His unfailing love will sustain us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to endure the trials of our lives. May You accomplish Your good and perfect will, as You did in the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.