Sometimes it is useful for us to stop and think about all Jesus went through during his arrest and crucifixion (Isa 52:14-53:12; Matt 26:47-27:56; Mark 14:43-15:41; Luke 22:47-23:49; John 18:1-19:37). He was abandoned and rejected by men, arrested, bound, blasphemed and given no fair trial. He was slapped, beaten, spat upon, mocked and treated with contempt. Our Jesus was scourged, with flesh torn from his back, his blood shed and his head pierced with thorns. Finally, he was stripped, nailed to a cross and pierced with a Roman spear, blood and water flowed out!

But for Jesus the greatest agony was caused by two things: (1) becoming sin for us; bearing our sins, and paying the price for our sins. Our sins marred his face almost beyond recognition (Isa 52:14). (2) Being separated from his Father by sin. Jesu cried out: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me” (Mark 15:34; KJV)?  

Through his death, suffering and resurrection he won for us forgiveness (Col 1:14), salvation (John 3:16), healing (1 Peter 2:24), right standing with God (Rom 5:17), eternal life now and in heaven (John 3:16) and so much more.

Jesus defeated satan and stripped him of all power and authority (Col 2:15). Satan no longer has any authority in our lives as Christians. We can walk in that victory (1 Cor 15:57) and the abundant life (John 10:10) that Jesus won for us if we chose to repent of sin and ask him in to our lives as Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-10). Think on these things and let your life be changed.

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Proverbs 3:5 and 6 (KJV) are very familiar verses to many of us. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths".

The word "direct" (Hebrew, Yashar) means to make right, straight, and smooth.

So, if your path of life seems to be going a bit off course, God can straighten it out if you trust him. The meaning of the word acknowledge (Hebrew, Yada), in the present context, is to know our God closely or even intimately.

There is a similar verse in Psalm 37:5: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass". This verse reminds me of 1 Peter 5:7 where we are told to cast our care on the Lord because he cares for us.

If we truly trusted God, which is what we are told to do in our first verse above, then we would know for sure that God would guide and take care of us. That confident trust and faith in God will make it easier to cast our cares on him. We need to develop that intimate and faith filled relationship with God. As the apostle Paul taught (Phil 3:12), this can only come by pressing in to him, spending time in prayer, in fellowship with him, and in his word. As we spend time in his word our faith will grow (Rom 10:17). As we press in, the way will become clear and God will take care of the cares and concerns.  

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 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13; KJV). The word temptation in the Greek has the broad meaning of temptation, trial or test. Isn’t it good to know that all of the tests, trials and temptations that come against us are no different from what every other Christian experiences.

So often we can feel that we are the only ones who have a particular problem, but our verse above says that is not so. Our verse goes on to show us that God is faithful and will not allow us to face something we just can’t handle. God says he will provide us with a way out so that we can deal with the things that come against us.

God is faithful, he will always provide the answer. God never changes (Mal 3:6), nothing can ever separate us from his love (Rom 8:38-39). He is always there for us. If we still ourselves before him and get into his word, he will show us the way out. He will speak to us through his word (John 16:13-14) and in that peaceable still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

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When you ask people how they are doing these days they often say they are busy, and consequently tired. It's a common problem. Well, the Bible tells us many times that God is our strength. and if you are feeling tired and weary today let me encourage you with these verses from Isaiah 40:29 and 31 (KJV). "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” I think the key to tapping into these promises is: "waiting on the Lord" and this involves patient waiting in trust and faith (Heb 6:12).

So often we find ourselves caught up in the material goal’s and expectations of the world and we are run ragged trying to attain and keep up in our own strength. Verses 28-30 of chapter 11 in Matthews gospel are very pertinent to the present discussion: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”.

Jesus is saying here, humble yourselves, be teachable, do things my way and enjoy my rest, instead of your wearying, frustrating labors. Rest in him, quiet yourself, wait on him, get his plan and run in his strength. Strength is multiplied and goes so much further, when you let God run your show.

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It’s good to read Psalms on a regular basis. Psalm 1 is a good place to start. In Psalm 1 we are told that the man (woman) who is blessed by God is like a tree, prospering, fruitful and with leaves that never fade. In verse 6 it says that: “For Lord knoweth the ways of the righteous” (KJV). Now that all sounds good to me.

Our Psalm 1 contrasts the Godly, blessed man to the ungodly. The contrast is a blunt one. Those who don’t know God: “shall not stand in the judgment” (V5), in fact they will perish (V6). They are not part of the true church of God but will be blown away like chaff (V4-5).

So, what are the characteristics of a Godly man (woman)? The Godly do not walk with the sinner, listen to their advice or associate with them (V1). Now hear is the secret of the righteous person, he delights in God’s word and meditates it (V2; mulls it over in his mind and speaks it) at all times.

If you want all God has for you, to be that tree, there is a work we have to do, that is to delight in and believe God’s word. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate therein day a night” (Josh 1:8).   

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.