Do you sometimes (or maybe even often) find yourself sinking into despair over your brokenness? Or maybe your despair isn’t about anything you’re struggling with internally, but rather, unmet expectations or a season of waiting that is taking much longer than you feel you can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Temptation, in biblical terms, doesn’t just refer to egregious sin. Sin also includes our thought life (see James 1:14-15) and the way we deal with our circumstances — whether in a way which glorifies God or exalts ourselves. This truth about what sin actually is ought to wreck us but it is also meant to restore us. It can be tempting to fall so deeply into the darkest pits of our mind rather than fixing our eyes on the fact that we are eternally redeemed through Christ. In our fleshly despair we become self-condemning, self-pitying, self-righteous. We must resist those temptations as they are of the flesh and put the focus on ourselves rather than Christ whom all joy, peace, and strength comes from because we are secure in Him who is Holy, sovereign, and merciful to His own possession. Jesus is our fuel to endure trials as He himself is the ultimate prize. And thinking on the things of God is the most satisfying and honorable escape from our troubles. Run to Jesus and bring your despair to the foot of The Cross, knowing that God will heal and protect you.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:6-8)
This life is wrought with brokenness, tainted with sin. It should not surprise us that even gifts in this life — a good career, spouse and family, etc. will at one time or another disappoint us. If we hold on too tightly to God’s creation and gifts in this world for our satisfaction and happiness we will lead a rollercoaster ride of a life inwardly in our souls. We will go through constant stages of despair and elation, if we are not grounded in Christ and The Gospel. Look to Jesus as the ultimate treasure of your life, and actually believe it in your heart of hearts. Allow the Truth of The Gospel penetrate into the depths of your soul, so that the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 will be a reality in your life…
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.
That power is the transforming, healing, enduring power of The Gospel which cleansed you of all your spiritual filth and covers you with Christ’s righteousness in the sight of The Father, bestowed upon you by His Grace alone. Never forget that you were bought with the highest price of all, the perfect sacrifical Lamb of God paid the debt you could never pay to satisfy God’s justice for sin. When all others fail us, God’s love never fails — it makes us new. When we fail or when others fail us, we need only to look to Christ whose grace is sufficient.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What are some ways that you’d like to see God restore you in day to day life? Bring it to the Lord.
- Has your view of sin changed after reading this? Does realizing how God views sin cause gratefulness in your heart that because of Christ paid the debt we never could in perfectly keeping God’s commands, your sins past present and future have been forgiven due to the fact that Christ has imputed His righteousness onto you?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you paid for my sins for all my life; that you gave me new life in You. I am so grateful for your grace that I’ve never deserved and never will merit. I am so grateful that you CHOSE ME from before the foundation of the earth. As I go through the rest of this week, Lord, will you keep me grounded in your Word and The Gospel? Will you remind me that everything in this life is temporary and that you are eternity itself? Wow, a God like that set His grace upon me and loves me. Thank you for all that you are and loving me in spite of all that I am. In Jesus’s name, amen.