He Suffered Too

"Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to helpus when we are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

I recall times in my life when I sinned, and I felt too ashamed and unworthy to approach God for forgiveness. "How can He still love me after what I have done?" I would think to myself. "I asked for His forgiveness just a few months ago, and here I am repeating the same sin again! Hasn't He just given up on me?"

Deep in my heart, I knew the answer was no, God never gives up on those who ardently seek His truth and love, but my fleshly mind had a hard time comprehending that God could fully understand man's sufferings, weaknesses and temptations.

Just because God is, well, God, does not mean He does not understand sin. Indeed, it is because He fully understands the effects of sin and how it robs man of his salvation, that He desires us to seek goodness over the corrupting effect of evil.

Not only does God comprehend sin and its stronghold over man, but the Lord also understands and has compassion for our pain and suffering, for He too suffered both emotionally and physically during His time on earth before and during His death on the cross. Do you think it did not grieve Jesus to have his close friend betray him, and another friend to deny even knowing him? His impending crucifixion lay in store, and rather than be supported and comforted, several of his closest friends abandoned him. Think about how devastated you would feel in such a situation.

Jesus was also tempted while on earth, as He was born both fully divine, and fully human. All of the emotions and urges you and I have experienced in our lifetime, so too did the Son of Man know these. And yet, Jesus did not give in to evil. He was tempted by evil, and often lived amongst sin and sinners, but not once did He succumb to it.

Most importantly however, is that God understands our pangs because, if He lives within those of us who have invited Him in to our hearts and lives, then when we suffer, so too does He. Our tears are His tears, and the Lord wants nothing more than to comfort, love and offer peace and joy to a hurting world.

As the above verse conveys, God is able to help us when we are being tempted to go against His word and will, not only because of His great love for mankind, but because He knows and understands how the spirit and flesh can often be at war with one another. It is God's desire for us to have victory over evil, and so, when we are feeling weak, the best defense is to call out to and lean on God, who is our ultimate strength.

Being tempted? Feeling weak? Cry out to the Lord, and He will hear your prayer.

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Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com