God Hears and Helps

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹ and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10)

 Ever have a bad day? Of course! On this side of heaven there will be lots of them.

The words of God at the beginning of this devotion were written to Hebrew Christians who were having bad days. These Christians had converted from the Jewish faith to the Christian faith. The result? They were being persecuted by family and friends. They were being strongly and forcefully encouraged to go back to their old Jewish roots, to give up on Christianity, to forsake Christ or risk the loss of family and friendships, and possibly even their homes and lives.

Someone else once had a very bad day. As he knelt in the garden, Jesus knew what lay ahead of him when he would soon be wrongfully arrested and endure scorn and spit, beatings and blows, false accusations and a frightening crucifixion. So in the Garden of Gethsemane “he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” Jesus earnestly prayed and pleaded to the one and only God who could deliver him. In his agony he cried aloud and shed tears. “And he was heard.”

Even though the Father’s answer was “No” to sparing Jesus from the cross, yet the Father heard him. The Father sent an angel to strengthen him. Jesus knew that he couldn’t avoid going to Calvary’s cross to suffer for our sins. He knew he had to submit to his Father’s will to be punished for us, to bear the curse of our sin – God’s fearsome wrath. In his Father’s strength, in obedience to his Father’s will, and filled with love for us Jesus rose to meet those who would arrest him and torture him.

In your bad days, even when you beg and plead in your prayers, even when you cry aloud and shed your tears, know, dear Christian, that God hears. Even if the answer is “No” or “Not yet” your heavenly Father hears. If you have to endure the bad days that come your way, the ridicule and scorn of others, the persecution of friends who have turned on you, or the pains and sorrows of life on earth, know that God hears.

And know that God also helps. Through his Word he gives you strength to endure. He speaks to you in the Bible and assures you that even the bad days are still serving your good (see Romans 8:28). Even in the bad days, you know he still loves you as you see Christ suffering and dying on Calvary’s cross for your sin, for your rebellion, for your lack of confidence, for your misplaced trust, and for all the sins of which you are guilty and ashamed. Be assured…God hears and God helps.