Articles
G.R.I.T. - God Really is Trustworthy
Life is unpredictable. As God’s created people, we wrestle with this. We were made for the garden - a place of goodness and full fellowship with the Creator (Genesis 2:8-8 cf. 3:8). As sin entered the world, so did uncertainty and struggle. How do we cope with all that life can throw at us here on this earth?
We find the answer - not surprisingly - in Jesus.
Jesus knew God’s character more intimately than any of us can boast. He knew God’s power, His faithfulness, and His love. However, in that vulnerable moment in the garden of Gethsemane, he wrestled with the suffering he was going to face. He prayed, if possible, to avoid it. He was human. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus tells his disciples that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus wanted to do God’s will, but he didn’t want to endure the great suffering that lay ahead of him. Jesus asked, if possible, that the cup would pass from him. He did not WANT to go through the trial of the cross, but he was WILLING to endure it for the glory and purpose of God. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…”
In chapter four of Hebrews, we are told that this wrestling between want and willing served God’s purpose, making Jesus the perfect High Priest for us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with 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, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16) This human response to uncertainty and trials can involve great sorrow and grief. Through Jesus’ example, however, we see that the key is not to allow these things to shake our determination to continue to serve God. Through Jesus we are promised help in time of need.
The Bible is full of repeated promises to this effect. Consider just a few of them:
Psalm 46:1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…”
Psalm 70:5 “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Hebrews 13:6 “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
If we try to face life’s challenges on our own strength, we will falter. But if we choose to see these difficulties as opportunities to deepen our reliance on the Lord, we will have all we need to accomplish His will for us in this world. As Jesus said, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Throughout the trials our family has faced the past few months, we have seen the faithfulness of God over and over again. Somewhere along the line, we realized that the word GRIT stood for “God Really Is Trustworthy”. In other words, the strength we need to face uncertainty and persevere in our trials is found in the assurance we have in the love and character of God. He will not fail us!
- g.r.i.t.god-really-is-trustworthy.pdf (96.19 kB)
