Jesus doesn’t back down from anything! ?

One “A Miracle Every Day” reader wrote to me, expressing her frustration with the reactions of those around her: “I rely on the Lord in everything I do, and I say so. But when I don’t succeed, people ask me, ‘Where was Jesus?’ My failure doesn’t affect my faith negatively because I’m certain and convinced that it’s His will and that I must expect better things. But because people judge based on what they see, I have a hard time convincing them about God’s will.”

I’d like to respond to this sincere testimony by reflecting on one of Jesus’ key character traits: His determination. Yet, He too, in a way, asked His Father, “Where are You?” Suffering martyrdom, nailed to the cross, He yearned for God:

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Read the Bible, Matthew 27:45-46, NLT)

It could indeed seem that God let him down, that Jesus had failed in His mission as Savior of humanity, which was the impression His disciples had on the road to Emmaus. (Read Luke 24:13-21) The Savior, who came to deliver the Jews from Roman oppression, died!

Do you ever think, like that reader’s friends, that:

• God isn’t always there when you need Him most?
• He lets you down sometimes?
• Once again, you’re in a situation where you’re going to fail?
• This time, it’s truly…“dead”?

These are very legitimate feelings, believe me! The Son of God Himself experienced the abandonment of the Father firsthand. Yet, He was totally conformed to God’s plan; He knew every step of His mission perfectly. Jesus demonstrated His determination to do the Father’s will. You know the end of the story, and it ends well: Jesus is risen!

Today, if you’re not understanding everything that’s going on, if it seems like God has abandoned you, I encourage you to overcome this false feeling, perhaps triggered by your friends who are discussing the way God is treating you…

Yes, I encourage you to look above and beyond appearances, with eyes of faith, and know that God is indeed there! That He’s alive, and that He hasn’t said His final word in your situation.

Like Jesus, finish strong! The important thing is to respect your commitment to Him. Even when everything seems to go from bad to worse, even when the darkness seems to cover your life. Persevere! We always reap what we sow. Here or in eternity.

I encourage you to walk it all the way through with Jesus!