GOD'S WILL BE DONE, NOT MINE

October 7, 2010

GOD'S WILL BE DONE, NOT MINE

Luke 22:39-46

Angelique Hamilton

Central Truth

At one of Jesus' darkest hours, He, too, cried out to God for help.

He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22:41b-42)

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.^{1

22:44
Some manuscripts omit verses 43 and 44} 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Footnotes

[1] 22:44 Some manuscripts omit verses 43 and 44

I know many of us focus on the disciples falling asleep while Jesus went to pray, and so did I when I read these verses. Then I prayed, read it again, and the key verse jumped out at me. How many times have I prayed this prayer? I would say about 5,000 and counting.

By the time you read this, it will have been a little over a year since my divorce. It was and is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Divorce rocked my world. My initial prayer was, "Oh Lord, how long is this going to hurt?" Now, months after everything has been finalized, my prayers are, "YOUR will, not mine." His response is, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

So, when I read this verse, I identified with Jesus when He was hurting. His prayers were similar to the prayer of a normal, single mother. Even though Jesus knew He was about to go through this horrible period of time, He was faithful. And where is He now? He is sitting in Heaven in perfect peace.

It brings me such hope to know that although I am going through the hardest and loneliest time in my life, I know the Lord hears me. I know He will deliver me from this pit. Most things in this life make me sad right now—couples' parties, kids' events, special occasions, holidays—and the list could go on. I know the Lord has His plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11). I have to surrender my will daily to God. And why wouldn't I? His way is perfect. And yet, it is a daily surrender. I pray that if you are hurting deeply about something—whether it's divorce, sickness, or death—that you hold on to the hope that God will walk with you daily.

Do I know God's purpose and plan for me and my children? No, but I know our future will be better than it was, because now I am seeking His will, and not mine.

1. Do you surrender your hurts and hardships to the Lord each day? Read Matthew 11:28-30 and Psalm 61:2.

2. Do you truly believe the Lord walks with you and never leaves you? Read Deuteronomy 31:8 and Isaiah 43:2.

3. Do you try to control situations, or do you let them go and give control to God? Read Hebrews 7:25 and Isaiah 41:10.

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Where did Jesus and his disciples go in verse 39? What did He ask the disciples to pray for? Who was Jesus praying to?

2. Who came to give Jesus strength?

3. Even Jesus went to God in prayer when He faced a hard situation. What are hard situations you are facing in your family right now? Stop and pray for strength to walk through them.