Hebrews 5

We've seen that the book of Hebrews looks back to the time between the fall and the redemption. During that time, God had set up a covenant with his people in which animals could be sacrificed to pay for the people's sins against God. A high priest would be chosen by God to offer these sacrifices for sins (5:1). You see, sinful people could not come to God alone; they had to come through the blood of a spotless lamb—everyday.

But then God chose Jesus, not only as our high priest (vv 5-6), but also as our spotless lamb! He was made perfect by learning to obey God in suffering (vv 8-9). That didn't come easy, though. It says he cried out to God with tears (vs 7). Jesus prayed fervently, and he cried out to God for strength to obey him in the midst of suffering.

Do you see? Suffering is necessary for us to learn obedience to the will of God, but we are not without help! We have a great high priest who showed us the power of reverent prayer to a sovereign God. And just like him, we can be strengthened to obey God by calling out to him for help.

Are you following the example set forth by Jesus? When life is tough, are you crying out to God and asking for strength to obey him? Or are you trusting in your own strength? Jesus knows what it feels like to experience anguish—read verse 7, it's dripping with anguish! He knows how you feel, and he's inviting you to ask him for help.

So ask him. Whatever it is your struggling with, pray and sincerely ask God to give you the strength to obey him in the midst of that difficulty.