40 Days of Praise - Day 34

Day 34

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.

Hebrews 4:15

It has been a good day. This was the first time that Hope Church Chicago had a Christmas day service. It was a wonderful celebration of our Lord‘s birth in Scripture and song. Family and friends showed up to celebrate with us. A beautiful service!

After the service we held family Christmas dinner at our house. We prepared and we ate, we laughed and talked as the children played. And then we cleaned up and everyone headed home.

My wife and I are exhausted, though happy. with all the preparations from Sunday through Christmas Day. Sleep has been on the short side and busyness has been on the high side. So when I set my mind to prepare this devotional, I had to work through just wanting to chill out and get ready for bed.

Given everything Jesus suffered for my salvation, being tired at the end of a few busy days is trivial in comparison. But Jesus' whole life was not live in that kind of crucible of suffering. He knew what it was, for instance, at the well at Sychar in Samaria, to be weary. He sat down on the side of the well because he was tired. But still, he engaged the woman at the well in conversation.

And that thought reminded me of one more thing I love about the Lord Jesus. He gets me. He gets us. He knows what it is to be fully human. He knows the surges of energy and the depths of exhaustion. He knows the satisfaction of a good laugh and the broken heart of deep loss. Not just in the big things, but in the small things, He understands. Whether we are tempted to procrastinate, overreact, give in to sin or look the other way when wrong is being done, He empathizes. He has been tempted in every way, just as we are, but without ever sinning. He who serves as our high priest before God, His Father, advocates for us with a genuine understanding.

That’s why, when we come to His throne, we can obtain mercy and find grace to help us when we’re needy.

Jesus knows all about our struggles
He will guide till the day is done
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus
No not one

No not one

Charles M. Butler

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