You Are Not Alone
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NASBS
Dear Christian, what a great consolation it is to know that Jesus Christ was tempted with every arrow of temptation that Satan tempts us with. I do not justify my shortcomings, but rather marvel at such love. That is, that God clothed Himself in the frailty of human flesh, allowing the anguish of sin to rent His body on my behalf. The word of God tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Yes, beloved, like a vessel in the midst of a mighty tempest with the billows crashing over its bow, the Son of God stood against the terrors of our temptations absorbing every one of them just as the Bible tells us, “He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely, our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”
It is important in the midst of your struggles that you do not disassociate Jesus from your common manhood. It may be a dark hour in which you are going through, but Jesus went through it before you and He prevailed. Furthermore, it may be a brutal fight which you are waging, but Jesus has stood toe to toe with the same enemy. So then my friend, follow in the bloodstained footsteps of Jesus to victory, for you are more than conquerors through Him Who loves you. Do not shrink back from the enemy’s arrows, but gird yourself for battle. Remember, the scriptures were written to give you hope, and it says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” So then, beloved of God, stand up against the besetting sins that so easily entangles you. Do not step into the clutches of its deceitfulness, but rather in the midst of its attack run to Christ in Holy prayer. Throw yourself at His mercy, “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” For God’s grace is sufficient for you, for it is in your weakness that you are truly strong.