Scripture - Luke 22:39-44 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Observation - Jesus is preparing for the most troubling encounter of His life. It is just before the betrayal and the culmination of His ministry and He does what each of us should do, He goes to the garden, gets alone and prays. He knelt down and began to ask God for help in this time. I think it is interesting that when He prays He asks God "Father if you are willing take this from me, but either way let your will be done". It was in that willingness to not be the one, the willingness to be the one despite the difficulty and the perspective that whatever God wants should be done that God sends the angel to strengthen Him.
Application - God gives us strength to finish what He starts in us. When we come to the place where we are more concerned with God's will than our own and we are more focused on Kingdom that personal comfort and satisfaction, God will send His spirit and strengthen us to complete the task. But our perspective must be "God not my will by yours be done". No matter what we think, no matter how difficult, not matter the place or the people, God your will be done.
Prayer - Father, let your will be done in me today. Give me strength to tackle every challenge, every fear, every temptation. God I need your strength to complete the tasks you have given me.
