O let not this world of sorrows steal my only hope away
For the power of Your gospel shines within this jar of clay
In affliction You bring wisdom that my comforts can displace
How my true and greatest treasure is in You the God of grace
Chorus
Now to the God of ev'ry grace Who counts my tears, Who holds my days
I sing through sorrow, sing with faith, oh praise the God of ev'ry grace
Weary with the weight I carry, give me wings of faith to rise
For You know each grief that lingers through the watches of the night
Surely You have borne our suff'rings, at the cross took up our pain
And You lead us unto glory as we trust You, God of grace - Chorus
There's a dawning hope before us that I know is soon to break
As I wait upon Your mercy which will swallow ev'ry ache
Cries of joy and songs of vict'ry when we enter Heaven's gates
All Your children home together, all with You, the God of grace - Chorus
Now to the God of ev'ry grace Who counts my tears, Who holds my days
I sing through sorrow, sing with faith
Oh praise the God of ev'ry grace, oh praise the God of ev'ry grace
Oh praise the God of ev'ry grace
Lord, there are many things we experience in this life that will only find their resolution, their answer, their ultimate comfort when we are home with You.
We know that You will work all things to the good of those who love You, but we are tempted to give up, to give in, to let our circumstances steal our hope.
May the hymn we just went through be a prayer for daily strength found in You, for regular recalling of our hope, for faith to keep following, and for rest in the truth that you know, and see our tears. I Christ we pray, Amen.
1 Peter 5:10-11: 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
You pulled me from darkness, and clothed me in garments of praise
Jesus, forever, my song will be You
I’m living in freedom, You’ve taken my burdens away
Jesus, forever, my song will be You, only for You
Chorus
For the cross that You bore, and the debt that You paid
For the victory You won over death and the grave, this is the reason I sing
For the hope that You give, and the joy that You bring
For the promise that heaven is waiting for me, this is the reason I sing
I will not be silent, I’ll testify of Your grace
Jesus, forever, my song will be you, only for You - Chorus
So good, so good, You’re so good to me
Forever I’ll sing, You’re so good to me - Chorus
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled.
A Young Man Flees 51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
Main Point: The Spirit is Willing because Jesus is Willing!
- Jesus is Willing to Stick With Us (vv. 26-28)
- Jesus is Willing to Save Us
- Through his Death (vv. 29-36)
- Through his Perfect Life (vv. 37-52)
William Lane: The dreadful sorrow and anxiety, then, out of which the prayer for the passing of the cup springs, is not an expression of fear before a dark destiny, nor a shrinking from the prospect of physical suffering and death. It is rather the horror of the one who lives wholly for the Father at the prospect of the alienation from God which is extended in the judgment upon sin that Jesus assumes.
How do we follow the Spirit, not the Flesh?
The Word: For by a kind of mutual bond the Lord has joined together the certainty of his Word and of his Spirit so that the perfect religion of the Word may abide in our minds when the Spirit, who causes us to contemplate God’s face, shines… (John Calvin)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)
Prayer: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
For further reflection/discussion at Missional Community:
- Are there things or situations in your life which make you run FROM Jesus, not TO Him? How can you (we) pray for that?
- Where are you prone to rely on your good intentions or your natural abilities instead of on the grace of Jesus? How can you (we) pray for that?
- How does the promise of the Spirit’s help in understanding/applying God’s Word give you new courage to feed on the Scriptures? How can you (we) pray for that?
- Who do you know who is trusting in their flesh instead of placing saving faith in Jesus? How can you (we) pray for that person, and for your ministry to him/her?
