The Agony and The Triumph

"And being in agony He was praying very fervently..." Luke 22:44
"But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death..."  Acts 2:24

We can never know the 'agony' of Gethsemane.  Oswald Chambers says "it is the agony of God and man in one, face to face with sin."  Gethsemane was Satan's final onslaught against Christ as the 'Son of Man'.  It was here and on the Cross God and sin clashed.

But that is not the end!  The Cross was the 'triumph' of the 'Son of God' over sin, death and Satan.  It is at the Cross we can say with Paul "I am crucified with Christ."  It is at the Cross we can say "I live, yet not I but Christ lives within me."  It is at the Cross we are humbled, knowing it is Christ's agony of Gethsemane and the Cross that is also His triumph for saving the human race.  And now "He is seated at the right hand of the power of God."  Luke 2:69

Prayer:  Because of Your Agony, Lord Jesus, I can now enter in to the very presence of the Father.  Thank you for the agony and the triumph of the Cross.  You did it for me.  Amen

Answered Prayer

 

We often think that if we pray something, and don’t see an answer the way we prayed, then God did not hear or will not answer. God always answers our prayer. He always answers with a "Yes", "No" or "Wait".

The following is a poem written by an ‘Unknown Confederate Soldier’ showing how our prayers are answered, yet not always as we expect.

I asked God for strength

That I might achieve.

I was made weak,

That I might learn humbly to obey…

I asked for health

That I might do greater things,

I was given infirmity,

That I might do better things…
 

I asked for riches,

That I might be happy,

I was given poverty,

that I might be wise…

I asked for power,

That I might have the praise of men,

I was given weakness,

That I might feel the need of God…

I asked for all things,

That I might enjoy life,

I was given life,

That I might enjoy all things…

I got nothing that I asked for—

But everything I had hoped for;

Almost despite myself,

My unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed.

He knows what is best for each one of us. Leave it with Him!