Gethsemane happenings - part 2: Make room for the will of God!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | September 15, 2023 | Matthew 26:36-44

KEY VERSE:

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39 (NIV).

MESSAGE:

The struggle of wills that takes place in the life of every child of God was demonstrated in the experience of the Son of God in the Garden of Gethsemane. When we are brought into our times of crushing, we are tempted to seek a way out which suits our flesh and renounces the plans and purposes of God. The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated how we should respond when we are crushed by the realities of life, and the assault of the enemy.

The right attitude in a time of crushing is to remember God and to send out prayers to Him. The Lord was in Gethsemane to pray, and He had His companions, though they failed through human weakness. Yes, people, even the most devoted of them, will fail you. But you need to keep the relationship with God and call on Him to help you. You can and must also try and rely on the faithfulness of God. We must willingly submit our will to His perfect will, when we know He has given the consent for our affliction, for our good. Sometimes God washes our eyes with the tears He allows into our lives. And when we have come through it all, His glory will shine through the gloom.

Yielding to the will of God is the wisest and best approach to handling the difficult places in the journey of life. We must pray the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

When we know to pray like this, Gethsemane will bring out the best in us, Gethsemane will make us better and not bitter.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Acknowledge that God’s will is sometimes different from our will because we are human and He is God because we are limited by sight and space, yet He sees beyond the times and seasons. Determine to seek out before God the cause of your crushing. If it is the will of God that we go through some difficult situations then we must yield to His will, and let His will be done.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, I am sometimes tossed and pushed and seem to be breaking apart by life’s challenges. And I seek to find my way around things, sometimes violating your Word. I pray now,

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! ____________________________ DAILY word study: YOUR WILL The phrase "your will" in Matthew 26:39 is translated from the Greek words "τὸ θέλημά σου" (to thelēma sou).

"τὸ θέλημά" (to thelēma): This Greek phrase means "the will" or "the desire." It signifies a purpose, intention, or what one wishes or wants.

"σου" (sou): This is the possessive pronoun "your," indicating ownership or possession. In this context, it refers to the will of God the Father.

The phrase "your will" encapsulates the essence of Jesus' relationship with God the Father. It reflects His complete obedience, trust, and submission to the divine plan, even when faced with unimaginable suffering. It underscores the deep and unwavering connection between Jesus and the Father.

This passage invites us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our willingness to submit to His will. It demonstrates the importance of aligning our desires with God's purposes, even when our human instincts may lead us in different directions. It shows us that surrendering our will to God's will is an act of faith, trust, and humility.

Reflections: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of surrender and trust in God's will in your own life? Are there areas where you find it challenging to align your desires with God's purposes? How can you follow the example of Jesus in submitting to God's will, even in difficult circumstances?