by Robert Fudge

Have you ever told God: "You don’t understand"? Come on now, and think about this one. Remember when you were filled with anger, or that time you were really disappointed, or that time you were hurt so badly, or when your heart was filled with grief over the loss of someone dear. We have all been told to "trust God" and He will take care of us. But don’t we sometimes wonder and doubt that He can really understand what we are going through? How can God, Almighty, All Powerful, All Wise possibly know what I, as a human being, feel? How can an all righteous and holy God possibly know the struggle that I have with temptation? Does God really understand?

Don’t forget that we have a High Priest that is both God and man. He has come here and lived in every way as a man – in the flesh. Notice in Hebrews 2:14-18:

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Now, let’s consider Jesus and how He meets our needs. Do you have money problems? Jesus was homeless. He said the birds have nests and the foxes have holes but He didn’t even have a place to lay His head. Do you have problems being misunderstood and mistreated? Jesus was constantly being hounded, tested and badgered by the religious leaders of His day – and that in front of the people. Have you been betrayed by a friend? One of His closest 12 friends betrayed Him to be put to death while another denied that he even knew Him – and they all ran away when He was in trouble.

How did Jesus handle all this? When he dealt with grief? They told Him that John the Baptist had been murdered by Herod and he went off by himself to pray. Lazarus, whom he loved, died from illness and Jesus wept. When He was tempted by the devil, he quoted scripture. When He knew Peter was going to deny Him, He prayed for Peter. While He was being murdered for things He did not do, He prayed that God forgive those who were doing it because they just did not really understand. When He saw His mother standing there grieving, He told His friend and cousin John to take care of her. You see, God does understand because He has been where we are in every way. Jesus knows what you are facing today. He not only knows but he really does understand just how you feel and the struggle that you have in your heart. And He cares. As our High Priest, he is telling His Father, our God, about your need, and mine and explaining what we are really going through.

Hebrews 5:7:"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Let’s all rejoice and praise God that we have a God who understands and cares about us and our problems and actually is taking care of them for us. May God shower His richest blessings on you today as you serve Him. Remember, He is faithful.