Hebrews 2:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, 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, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Life is tough! Each day, many of us face challenges that seem beyond what we can bear. We wonder how we can get through these times. How can we live in this world and still be faithful to God’s will? It seems impossible. If there was only someone who had already done it that we could ask for guidance. Why do we have to go through all this anyway?
We go through trials sometimes just to teach us what is like to face a certain challenge. In 2000, I got fired from a job I should not have lost. I was hired by a Vice President who left the company. They replaced him with a much younger man who did not know the business. I won the Vice President’s Award for Outstanding Service in January and was fired in July. I decided to sue the company for wrongful termination because I felt it was age discrimination and I was in a protected age class. Going through the process led me to depositions where I had to repeat the story many times. Each time I did, it was another blow to my self esteem until I ended up in deep depression. The kind where you can’t leave the house! I learned a lot about how debilitating that can be and how devastating to our lives. At that time, I would have given up altogether except for the glimmer of hope that was my faith. I had questions like “How could God let this happen to me?”. It was only years later that I understood. I was not supposed to be working for a corporation. I could do more for the Kingdom on my own. Also, God wanted me to understand depression fully – from the inside – so I would know what it was like and how to help others. When I tell someone with depression “I know how you feel!”, I really do understand. I learned many things which I have successfully used to help others through the darkness! I can help people back into the daylight because of what God has taught me through my own circumstances.
Hebrews 2 tells us about the One to whom we can turn who fully understands our plight. Jesus has been through every temptation that we face having been fully made like us so that He can understand what it is like. It is not sympathy, it is empathy! He knows what we are going through intimately.
What’s more, He is our Faithful High Priest. As High Priest, He advocates for us with the Father. He is merciful and faithful. But the best part is that, not only will He help us through, He is willing to bear the burden and the costs of our sins and failures. He is ready, willing and able to aid us in the trials we go through. His mercy endures forever! Speak with Him. He understands.
Lord, we thank You that You fully understand our plight and come to our aid when we need You. Thank you that You are merciful and show us the way through the trials. Give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow as we live our lives for and with You!