Thursday, September 21, 2023

Every time I read these words of Jesus, they shake me greatly. There He was, the Son of God, about to face His crucifixion, the moment for which He had come to Earth. Jesus, who had created the universe, was anguished, praying to His Father. Jesus asked His Father to allow the cup to pass if He was willing. Christ, in His humanity, was afraid. His Father heard Him and sent an angel to strengthen Him, because Jesus would fulfill what was written in the holy Scriptures. Today, in many countries, people live in anguish. We see many people suffering. But God continues to fulfill what He says to us in His Word. We might feel defeated, tired, discouraged, and defenseless when we are going through a terrible trial. Although nothing can come close to what Christ faced, we can, in our darkest night, kneel in prayer before our mighty Father to be strengthened so we can face the challenge that He has placed before us, His disciples. When Jesus finished praying, He rose, strengthened to face the most horrendous and unjust death, and He was victorious. So, we must, after praying, rise up in a world that always needs to hear the Gospel. On our knees we can look weak, but when we get up, we are powerful because God strengthens us.

All the teaching and preparation I received at Haggai reminds me to keep in my heart the commitment to bring the Gospel to each person and to be a disciple maker. In times when I feel dismayed, I always remember and value my commitment to preach Christ because of the strong teaching I received from all the servants of Haggai.