How Jesus Looked To His Father for Help in His Time of Need
I John 2:6 - The one who says He abides in Him ought to walk in a manner in which He Himself once walked.
Psalms 28:7-28:7
The Lord is my strength and shield. My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Therefore, I will leap for joy and give thanks to Him in song."
The will of God was carried out completely, victoriously and courageously best through the life of the Lord Jesus. When we really want to discern God’s will for our life it is best found by following the pathways of our Savior. Let us examine thirteen ways that Jesus Christ looked to His Father in times of need:
1. When Jesus felt weak He looked to His Father for strength, power and energy to His challenges. The Lord Jesus recalled the words of David, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my hearts trusts in him and I am helped." (Psa. 28:7a) Ask the Lord to strengthen, encourage and empower you to do whatever He leads you to do with all might.
2. When Jesus felt discouraged, He turned to His Father for encouragement. The Lord Jesus remembered the words of David, who wrote, "My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." (Psa. 28:7b) Call on the Lord while He may be found and He will replace your feelings of discouragement with all the joy of His encouragement.
3. When Jesus felt alone and forsaken He cried out to His Father and received sweet assurance of companionship and guidance. The Lord Jesus remembered the words of David, who wrote, "You have made known to me the path of life: you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psa. 16:11) Ask the Lord to help you take advantage of the promise, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
4. When Jesus felt that He needed wisdom and guidance He sought His Father’s wisdom. The Lord Jesus knew that His Father possessed, "Great depth and riches of wisdom." (Rom. 11:33) Continually seek the Lord’s wisdom and knowledge to make the wisest decisions for every problem that arises.
5. When Jesus felt attacked, He called to His Father for defense. The Lord Jesus remembered the mighty words of David who wrote, "O my strength, I watch for you; you, O god are my fortress, my loving God." (Psa. 59:9) Ask the Lord to defend you by fighting your battles for you.
6. When Jesus felt weary and faint hearted, He called to His Father for greater resources. The Lord Jesus remembered the words of David who wrote, "I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." (Psa. 61:20) Ask the Lord to plug you into greater resources than you presently are tapped into and He will renew and energize you.
7. When Jesus felt hated and despised and rejected of men, He called to His Father for reassurance. Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but your will be done." (Luke 22:42) Take time to withdraw from your responsibilities and commit, delight and trust the Lord for His reassurance in the face of human rejection and hatred. He will never leave us or forsake us so that we can confidently know that the Lord is our helper, what can man do to you?
8. When Jesus ran into tremendous opposition, He called on His Father to be greater than any problem. Jesus said, "All things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can move great mountains of opposition, criticism and misunderstandings.
9. When Jesus face sickness, He called to His Father. The Lord Jesus remembered the words of David who wrote, "He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases and redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." (Psa. 100:3)
10. When Jesus faced growing dissatisfaction among people, He cried to God for help. The Lord Jesus knew, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."(Matt. 5:8) Be more like Jesus when He faced the hungry 5,000 in John 6:11. "Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted." The Lord has plenty of resources available to those who will ask, seek and knock and the doors will be opened to them. We are not limited by resources only our faith and obedience to God.
11. When Jesus faced oppression from unrighteous authorities, He trusted His Father to intervene on His behalf. The Lord Jesus said to the disciples, who wanted to take up arms against His adversaries, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than 10,000 angels?" (Matt 26:53) Be wise in what you ask for.
12. When Jesus faced fear, He called to His Father for courage. The Lord Jesus remembered the words of David who wrote, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, because you are with me." (Psa. 23:4) Let the Lord calm your fears as you take courage from Him and His mighty promises for victory.
13. When Jesus faced death, He looked to His Father for overcoming power. The Lord Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23:46) We may not understand all that God calls us to face, but can obey Him and be assured He will bless and use us to accomplish all of His work.
