touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV)
In this HEART TALK I would like to talk about INFIRMITIES – or WEAKNESSES – as the margin and most versions of the Bible define the word. I thank you for taking the time to visit this web site and for spending a few minutes listening to this preacher as he shares his heart with you. I greet my colleagues, family and friends that may be listening.
WEAKNESSES…Who isn’t weak? Who doesn’t struggle? Who hasn’t – or isn’t at this time – under attack in one way or other? And, it is a fact that everyone is not weak in the same area as the next person. It is also a fact that Satan is not asleep on the job. Like boxers in the ring – each looking for the weak spot in the other – Satan knows where we are weak…where we struggle…in our Christian walk. “…your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV). Satan prowls! He is forever looking for the weak spot in our armor.
To be naïve about the human weakness issue is to court disaster. Satan WILL eventually destroy us unless we keep our guard up, our eyes open and our ears sensitive to the warning voice of the Holy Spirit.
I am reminded of what Jesus said to his disciple – Peter – when Peter spoke so adamantly that he would never deny the Lord and would even die with Him. Jesus looked at him as said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31, 32 KJV). Peter simply did not know his own heart. He meant well. His intentions were good, but good intentions are not enough to keep us from the snare of the fowler.
I would like to share the textual reading from two other versions of the Bible, the Contemporary English Version and the New King James Version:
“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin!
So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with underserved kindness, and we will find help.” (CEV)
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV)
What a friend we have in Jesus! He is fully aware of each of us and of the struggles that we are involved in on a daily basis. He may seem to be far away – or not at all aware of your needs and struggles – but that is not true. We struggle because the battle between flesh and Spirit has raged since our first parents fell. Satan was cursed! Eve – and all women after her – would have “sorrow in conception…in sorrow bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband”. As far as Adam was concerned the ground would be cursed and he would eat his food in sorrow and deal with thorns and thistles, “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Genesis 3). This has been the curse which the human race has lived with for the thousands of years that have passed.
Thankfully, GOD chose to do something to help us in our struggles with “the world, the flesh and the devil”.
1. Christ chose to get involved. He did not remain in
His privileged position with the Father, but “passing through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14) came to earth, becoming poor in order to make us spiritually rich (2 Corinthians 8:8, 9). We cannot imagine what that move cost Him.
2. Christ faced reality. He is no stranger to real life. He never walled Himself off from what people go
through every day (Hebrews 4:15).
3. Christ empowers people. He gives us sufficient power to deal with life. He invites us to come to HIM for the help and we are told that we do not need to be bashful…”come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.
Here is good news for you as you struggle in the flesh to live the Christian life and walk the highway of holiness – “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are” – we do have a High Priest –JESUS CHRIST – who has been here and been through every possible human test and He is quite capable of sympathizing with us in our weaknesses.
The flip side of this matter is that when we bring our human struggles and failures to HIM we will not be pushed away. There is MERCY to be had and GRACE – His favor to be granted. We need not fear to come to Him – “Just as I am without one plea; but that thy blood was shed for me”. People are very quick to judge and condemn, but not Jesus, our High Priest. He continually makes intercession for us. He knows us and yet He still loves us. Forgiveness is what Jesus offers and He gives it with mercy and grace.
I would like to close with a portion of Isaiah 53, one that Matthew referred to in Matthew 8:17. Isaiah said – of the coming Messiah – “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6 KJV)
There is a dual prophecy contained in these verses. Christ would become the sacrificial Lamb in order to provide healing (forgiveness) for mankind’s sin-sick soul. He would also provide physical healing for man’s infirmities.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” – this is a fact else God’s Word is lying. The evidence – with all of us – is clear that God’s Word is true. We have ALL gone astray! We have ALL turned to his own way! God knows this! Jesus knows this! This is why GOD “hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all”. Our sins are filtered through the blood of Christ. “For there is no man that sinneth not” (I Kings 8:46 KJV).
How sad that we have such difficulty (1) acknowledging our weaknesses and that (2) we don’t do what we’re told to do and as God’s children (sinful as we are) come bravely (boldly) to His throne that we might receive what we need and must have in order to maintain a proper relationship with our Lord – MERCY IN OUR TIME OF NEED AND GRACE…GOD’S FAVOR AND BLESSING. I have often said, “I am saved…I am being saved…and I shall be saved!” How grateful this preacher is for having learned – the hard way –that my heavenly Father watches over me loves me and is always there in my infirmities. I have no trouble singing “I am weak but thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to thee.”