When you don't want to do, what God wants

"Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from Me — nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”   Luke 22:41-42  CSB

It is, or should be, about God's will, not our own. RT Kendall writes about the times when, 'What you don't want, but God wants, is what you'll get.' Let's not forget that that when we accepted Jesus into our lives, we agreed to do His will, not our own. We gave Him charge of our lives. So, it is not unreasonable when He overrides our will for His own. Asking God for that special thing you require or would like and, finding that He doesn't answer this can be disheartening. But, isn't that what Jesus did with His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane? “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from Me — nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”  

Oftentimes, we ask God for something we want and, He gives us something that we don't want, but what He wants. When things are like this, we have to accept His will. Jesus was asking for what He would have preferred - freedom from this task. He agonised over approaching His death on the cross and the effects of His Father's wrath on Him. But, He was prepared to do this and go to the cross. He knew it must be done to take the victory over sin. But what a struggle He had.

Paul echoed Jesus' thoughts in 2 Timothy 4:16: 'At my first defence, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me.' Paul knew how Jesus must have felt at that time - no friends because they had all deserted Him; everyone against Him, abusing Him and shouting cruel words. Even God at that time, cast His eyes aside because of all the sin that Jesus was having placed on him. But Jesus, knew His Father's wishes and He carried them out to the full.

When you have asked Jesus to be your Saviour, it is no hardship to surrender your will for His. Sometimes, it may feel tough when we desperately want things our way. However, the rewards far outweigh the hardships that we may have to undergo at those times.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

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