Hope When Things Are Hard
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with us in our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. “ Hebrews 4:15-16
Recently, I had to call a company to ask for help with a problem I had. After a few rings, I was greeted by the dreadful sound of a pre-recorded voice asking me to select an option so it could direct my call. As I listened to the options, I quickly realized that my specific problem did not fit into any of the categories.
Finally, it gave me the “other” option and after a few more button presses it directed me to yet another set of pre-recorded voices with even more options that didn’t fit my problem. After several minutes, I hung up frustrated and still without a solution to my problem. The thing that is so frustrating about so called “phone trees” is that you never get to speak to an actual person if your problem doesn’t fit the options.
All I wanted in that moment was to speak to another human who could listen, understand my problem, and help me find a solution.
I love these two verses out of Hebrews because they remind me that in the midst of my problems and weaknesses on Earth, Jesus is alive and is listening from Heaven. More than that, he can sympathize with me in my struggles because He also walked as a human, and faced struggles too.
But, in the midst of my struggles, Jesus isn’t trying to sell me his new book on how to beat temptation. He is offering Himself. He knows all of my frustration, weakness, sin, and struggles and offers me grace.
The hope of Christians in the midst of struggle is not working harder. That’s like getting caught in an endless cycle of button presses that will never accomplish anything. True hope is found in Jesus alone. It’s because He beat back temptation “without sin” that we can now “draw near to the throne of grace with confidence” and “find grace in our time of need.” Those are comforting words indeed.