August 9 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Most of us feel, at one time or another, as if others never quite understand our problems. "You don't understand what I have to go through." Perhaps we say that as an excuse for our failures. Or maybe it's an honest expression of the loneliness we experience.

However, we can never say to Christ that he does not know what we have to bear. He was tempted as we are in all points. There is no weakness in us that he does not know, and we face no trouble with which he is not acquainted.

Christ shared our weaknesses without committing sin. He knows what it is to be tired. He has been disappointed in people more than anyone else ever was. He has tasted fear of pain, and the fear of death has made him tremble. He knows how a person can be tempted in all these experiences. But he did not sin.

The point of this text is not to tell us that since Christ knows how hard it can be for us, he'll be quick to forgive us. (Some people say: "When you know it all, you can forgive it all.") No, the point is that since we know Christ has been through it, we must boldly and confidently go to the throne of grace in our hour of trial. He knows. He understands. And he can help.

Not only is Christ profoundly sympathetic and empathetic, he also has tremendous power. He is now on the throne. That's why we go to him without hesitation. We call on him boldly, "with confidence," that is, with faith and daring.

And we do not ask Jesus only for sympathy but also for help. We may ask that his mercy remove our burden. Or to give us power to bear the burden. But the main purpose of our prayers is—or should be—that we be kept from sinning in the hour of our trial, just as Christ did not sin when he was on trial.

REFLECTIONS

What burdens are you struggling with right now? Have you approached the "throne of grace" and confidently asked for mercy and help?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.