Wow…powerful thought this morning in a bible study I am doing.

This passage, I have read tons of times before:

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. – Hebrews 4:15-16

Yet, this morning, in the bible study I am doing, I am asked this question (which I have never considered):

“According to verse 15, what does Jesus feel regarding our weaknesses?”

Do you see it? It is startling to me.

While I beat myself up for a misstep (or 10), while we are tempted to pull out the club of condemnation for “eating past 5 last night,” while we all tend to bemoan the fact that “I just seem to keep STRUGGLING with this issue! When will it cease being a struggle?”…this verse clearly says…

…the Lord…sympathizes…with our weaknesses.

Wow. Let that wash over you today. I think I will swim in it for a while.

Thank you, Lord. You have reminded me again of how kind you are. I am so humbled by your grace, your love, your mercy. Thank you that you sympathize with my weaknesses. Please help me not to beat myself up about them. Help me to understand that your kindness, your sympathy, leads me to repentance. Leads me to correction, to change…not to berate myself. Thank you for this truth…In your precious Name, Amen.