A Prayer For Strength

Father,

How often we lack the strength that the day, circumstance, decision, task, and demands. How often we find ourselves trying to muster a strength from within ourselves which can only carry us so far. Lord, how often are You the last one that we look to for the things that we need. Father, we don't understand why You allow us to go through so many of the things that we do. How often would our ways and plans be different. Yet, Father, we desire your will above our own and when our desire is not for what you desire, we know that you understand that we are but dust. Please, we pray, grant us the strength which we do not have. Grant us that special strength that only comes from above that we, too, may glory in the cross of Your Son. Take what is a blessing and bless us with it. Take what is a trial and bless us with it. Take what is an adversity and bless us with it. Give us strength as we learn to trust. For Your name's sake, for Your glory, for Your children.

In the name of Your beloved Son,

Amen

The True Leader

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Hebrews 2:10

How do you view God? Do you see Him as a demanding task master barking our orders and ready to call you out at the sign of any misstep or failure? I think many of us view God as the first depiction described in this image. Yet, is this mindset correct? How can we know what God is like?

Jesus answers this question for us. In John 14:7 He says, "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." So, according to Jesus' own words and explanation, we know the Father by the Son. Jesus is our perfect example of who the Father is and what He is like. 

So what example does the Son present of the Father to us? Hebrews 2:10 answers this question. Jesus is our "pioneer" or leader who paved the way to the Father for us through the perfection of His suffering on our behalf. You see, Jesus is the perfect representation of the bottom image of the picture. He is our leader and we walk in the path of His perfection and finished work. 

So, going back to the original question, how do you view God? God is not the apathetic, harsh boss barking out orders relentlessly. He is the one who stepped down from the pedestal of exaltation to lead the way for us to Himself. Walk in this truth today and go forth boldly knowing you are walking in the footsteps of Jesus!