He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD,
‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’
Psalms 91:1-2
Jesus is perfect! He’s our example! He has complete dependence on God! He trusts God! He came to earth to do the will of the Father.
In Matthew 26, Jesus prayed for God’s will, knowing that He, Jesus, would die very soon on the Cross for the sins of the people of this world. Three times in the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed a prayer like this, requesting God’s will to be done:
‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.
Yet not as I will, but as you will.’
Matthew 26:39
Thank You, Jesus, for being our perfect example of following God’s will, even to the point of sacrifice and death.
My heart turns to shine a lesser light on a hero of faith—Corrie ten Boom. After being a prisoner in a Nazi camp, she one day came to a place of forgiveness when she saw one of the Ravenbruck Camp guards that had been so cruel to her in another time and place. In her book, Tramp for the Lord she tells the story…
She was slow to forgive, but she prayed. And with this prayer as an act of surrender, she was able to forgive this man who asked for forgiveness. “I forgive you, brother!” I cried, “with all my heart!” For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then.
[Corrie ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord (CLC Publications, 1974) p. 57]
Although I never have had to endure the horrific things that Corrie ten Boom had to endure, I can truly say that, when I have forgiven someone who has hurt me deeply, it is in that moment that I truly understand with a greater depth the immensely great love and forgiveness that Jesus has given to me! And that just makes me want to praise, worship, and adore Him even more!
Jesus Christ’s words on the Cross toward those who had mistreated Him, as He was hanging there in my place and yours, were these:
“…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…”
Luke 23:34
Christ loved God; He prayed; He surrendered to God’s will to bring God glory; and forgave others…and so did Corrie ten Boom…and I hope I do as well with each day I am given.
Can I add your name to this list? Is it your heart’s desire to do the will of the Father? Do you trust Him completely—even when you don’t understand some things that seem so hard to endure?
* * * * *
Oh, dear Lord, let us have hearts like Yours and submit to Your will. You are our Fortress and our God! Even when we do not understand, let us trust You for Your ultimate plan in each of our lives to be revealed! In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen!
About Cheris Gaston
Cheris, you’ve started out our morning with words of wisdom, thank you. As I read this I see more clearly that ‘surrender’ and ‘forgiveness’ grow out of love. As we grow in our love for Christ, we will surrender more easily to His Will, and as we surrender to His Will we will forgive more.
You are so right, Clella. It is because we love Christ that we are able to surrender and forgive. And yes, let us love Him more, and in that overflow of love for Him, we will see how God works in our hearts to do even more than we could have imagined.
oh…forgiveness. such an issue! but, more importantly, God’s command. thanks, cheris, for your encouragement to trust the Great I AM more…and to obey. <3
Coleen, yes, God commanded us to forgive. Oh, if Christians could remember daily how God has forgiven us, and then, in turn, forgive others as He would have us to and like He did…this earth would look a lot different than if does. Let us all love and trust the Great I AM!
ok! <3
Thank you, friend, for making Monday worth facing. I love reading the words God gives you to share with us. <3
Thank you,Teresa.
Great post, Cheris. Beautiful and inspiring! Thank you!
Thank you, CG.