Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture Reading:

Luke 22:41-44 (KJV)
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Reflection:

In these verses, we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the most excruciating moment of His earthly life. Knowing the suffering that lay ahead, He earnestly prayed to His Father, asking if there might be another way. Yet, despite His deep anguish, He surrendered completely to the Father's will: "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

This moment of profound surrender is a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting God's wisdom and plan, even when it leads us into difficult and painful places. Jesus' obedience and submission to His Father's will highlight a key aspect of our faith journey – the acknowledgment that our Father knows best.

Application:

1. Trust in God's Plan: When we face challenging situations, we might be tempted to ask God to change our circumstances. It is natural to want relief from pain and hardship. However, like Jesus, we must learn to trust that God's plan is ultimately for our good and His glory, even if we do not fully understand it at the moment.

2. Seek Strength in Prayer: Notice how Jesus prayed more earnestly in His agony, and an angel appeared to strengthen Him. Prayer is not just a ritual; it is a vital source of strength and comfort. When we are overwhelmed, turning to God in earnest prayer can bring us the support we need to persevere.

3. Surrender to God's Will:mJesus' words, "not my will, but thine, be done," should resonate deeply within us. Surrendering to God's will requires humility and trust. It means letting go of our desires and accepting that God's wisdom and love guide His decisions for our lives.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Help us to trust Your wisdom and plan for our lives, even when we face difficulties and pain. Strengthen us through prayer, and teach us to surrender our will to Yours. May we always seek to glorify Your holy name in everything we do. Amen.

Amen Thought for the Day:

Trusting in God's will means believing that He knows what is best for us, even when the path is hard and the future is uncertain. Let us find peace in His perfect wisdom and love.