journey onWord with us

Have you ever gotten to the point where you cried out, “I’m at my wit’s end!”? Those words have probably exited the lips of all of us. Sometimes our frustration comes from others, but often it comes from within. When our life hits a hard patch, it is good to know that we have someone who understands. However one of the difficulties we all endure is a willingness to share our real pain and frustration with anyone else. We often are embarrassed (what will they think of me), and at other times there is a sense in our spirit that no one really understands or cares. In my reading this morning I was reminded afresh of the One who cares and understands. Later, I had the opportunity to reflect on the old hymn of the church, “No One Understands Like Jesus”.

As you read this article, honesty is necessary. My assumption is that we all have internal and external battles. Our church masks often cover the real battles we face. But the truth is that we all have moments of being at our wit’s end. At the inevitable seasons of temptation or trial, we can be our own worst enemies. We all need others to understand us, and give good counsel. It is wonderful to have others in our lives to share struggles with, but “No One Understands Like Jesus”. Let me prove my point.

Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Our High Priest is Jesus, and He is fully God and fully man. He experienced the struggles of life just like we all do. In his life on earth, Jesus knew what it was to be tired, hungry and face intense temptation, yet without sin. I appreciate Warren Wiersbe’s counsel on these verses in his commentary. “After all, a sinless person would feel temptations and trials in a much greater way than you and I could ever feel them. Christ was tempted, yet He did not sin; and He is able to help us when we are tempted. If we fail to hold fast our confession, we are not proving that Jesus has failed. We are only telling the world that we failed to draw on His grace and mercy when it was freely available to us”.

We all know how frail we are, and what our wit’s end feels like. But in Christ, we don’t walk the journey alone. He sympathizes with us, and wants to help us. Remember, He understands. No matter what causes you to struggle, His desire is always the same: come to the throne of grace, receive His mercy and find grace to help. Let the last verse of an old anonymous poem sum up my thoughts.

Are you standing at Wit’s End Corner?
Then you’re just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of him who faileth not;
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved
But only at Wit’s End Corner
Is the “God who is able” proved.