03.09. "Able to Support"

9. "Able to Support"

"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 In early days I remember at one time being very much cast down. In various ways I was hedged in by trial, and seemed scarcely able to rise above it. But I went for a few days’ mission work to a friend in the north. On entering my bedroom, above the bow of the large window, I noticed a few words of the Epistle to the Hebrews: "He is able to support those who are being tempted." So I took it as a message from God. And in the work of that happy week, I found fresh strength and comfort on my way.

There may be a thought here to cheer and strengthen some who read these pages. You have great need of this support. It must be a heart of stone indeed — that cannot feel for the painful difficulties, sore trials, and bitter sorrows that many young people have to pass through. In many lives, they are a great and terrible reality. It is not all spring and summertime between fifteen and twenty-five. There are sunless days and cheerless nights. There are hours when life seems more than a blank — a desert, and a wilderness, which bleak winds and driving hail make almost intolerable. Moreover there are miry wastes and deep pitfalls, where the young traveler may sink, or stumble and never arise again. The infinite variety of the forms in which the Tempter comes makes the temptation still greater. As from time to time, the wind blows from every conceivable point of the compass — so too does temptation change from day to day and from year to year.

Today it may come in the shape of a craving, half-mad desire for some comfort or enjoyment for the present denied to us. Tomorrow in the darkness of a bereaved and sorrow-stricken heart. Today it may come in the form of self-display, as to voice, personal appearance, dress, or natural gifts. Tomorrow may come other some shaft of the wicked One — a doubt about God, His existence, His mercy, or His faithfulness.

Today it may be the distraction of some great anxiety about the future which fills up every niche and cranny of the soul. Tomorrow it may be the gloomy, chilly shadow of the fear of death.

Very often temptation comes in a form so new, so peculiar, so tangled, that the tempted one seems utterly alone in it — as if no one, since the world began, had ever passed through the same experience. There is something within that hinders our peace in God — and then with this comes a burden here, and a trouble there, and no human sympathy at hand — and what remains but to yield to utter despair? I know nothing more painful and perplexing than this interlacing of one temptation with another, and the absence of all relief; and it may be, worst of all, conscience whispering in an undertone of sin unforgiven, and God far away.

You remember, when the disciples were on the lake, there was something of this multiplied trouble. The wind was contrary, three long night-watches had been spent almost in vain, they were toiling in rowing, strength almost exhausted; it was dark, and Jesus had not come to them. But help came at last. A form appeared on the water. A well-known voice was heard, "It is I, be not afraid." So shall it be with you, if only you are true to the Master, and in every temptation wait on Him and for Him.

"He is able to support." The word employed in the original is very suggestive. It is to "run to the cry" of another. It is this which Jesus delights to do. He sees your peril. He knows your fears. He comes quickly in answer to your cry!

Why should I fear the darkest hour,
Or tremble at the tempter’s power?
Jesus vouchsafes to be my tower.
Though hot the fight, why quit the field?
Why must I either fly or yield,
Since Jesus is my mighty shield?

Here is our refuge, our hope, our rock of defense. In ourselves we are powerless. We are no match for the Adversary. We cannot battle with one who is a subtle spirit, who has the experience of long ages, who is as a roaring lion, who has myriads of agents to forward his designs. Especially is it our weakness, that there is evil within as well as without, a traitor in the camp who is ever ready to correspond with the enemy — indwelling sin, which will not easily be dispossessed of its power, and which will only die when we ourselves crumble into dust. But in Christ we have power and might which must prevail. He for our sakes withstood the tempter and gained a threefold victory. And He is still the same in us and for us. His strength is made perfect in weakness. He loves to support and uphold the weak.

It seems to me that Christ’s power to support in temptation, rests upon six mighty pillars, six immovable grounds of confidence.

1. His Divine glory and dignity as the Son of God. "We have a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God" (Hebrews 4:14). He shared in the glory of creation. He upholds all things by the word of His power. He sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. He is far, far above the angelic throng, for they delight to worship at His footstool. He is exalted far above Moses, as the builder is greater than the house he builds. He is greater than any prophet, priest, or king that ever went before Him. Of one being and essence with the Father, as the Only-begotten Son, as the One to whom is committed all power both in Heaven and earth — He pleads with authority the cause of His people. What a strong rock of confidence is this! You have an Almighty Redeemer and Helper! As the very Son of God, He cannot fail in the support He gives.

2. His exceeding mercifulness and tender compassion. He beholds with pity and love, the soul that is bound and tied by the chain of sin. He is ever ready to forgive and save. He despises not the very worst — nor does He wait for any goodness or merit or rightness in any way, in those who turn to Him. His nature is ever to have mercy and forgive. As it is the nature of fire to burn, water to flow down from a higher level, a stone to fall to the earth — so it is His nature to rescue and save and bless sinners of every name who fly for refuge to Him.

3. His unchanging faithfulness. "He is a merciful and faithful High Priest." He is faithful in doing the Father’s will, and this will is the eternal salvation of all who believe. He is faithful to every promise, so that Heaven and earth may pass away — but His Word shall not pass away. He is faithful to the least of His flock, and will never leave him nor forsake him.

4. His great Atoning sacrifice. He has made "reconciliation for the sins of the people." He has offered one sacrifice for sins forever. He has become the sinner’s substitute; He has borne the sinner’s load; He has finished the transgression, and made an end of sin. His work upon the cross, His all-sufficient offering is a sweet savor to the Father; and whoever by faith touches the sacrifice, is purged from all guilt, and the sweet savor of Christ’s death and merit passes upon him, so that he too is fragrant and acceptable to the Father in Heaven.

Unspeakable is the comfort of this, in every temptation which concerns the conscience. Whatever sense of past guilt may arise, whatever consciousness of unworthiness or failure — go afresh to Calvary! Again touch the sacrifice there offered. Again draw near in humble reliance upon the Redeemer’s finished work — and peace will be yours. You will be able to look up to God with grateful confidence, and the sense of pardoned sin will strengthen you to fight the good fight of faith.

5. His perpetual, unfailing intercession at the Father’s right hand. "He is able to save to the uttermost, all who come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them."

"Able to support," "able to save to the uttermost" to all completeness, to the uttermost of sin, sorrow, temptation, time, through all possible circumstances — He is able to save, and He will save those who plead His name, who make Him their ground of access to the Father. But why? Because He intercedes. Because evermore He appears in Heaven for us. Because He is the righteous Advocate whom the Father hears always.

O You, the contrite sinner’s Friend,
Who, loving, lov’st them to the end,
On this alone my hopes depend,
That You will plead for me.

6. His own experience of ill. "In all things He was made like unto His brethren." "In all things He was tempted like as we are — yet without sin." There is no dark chamber in life you may pass through — but He went through it before you! Are you in straits as to your means of subsistence? So was He. He was hungry, and waited patiently on His Father’s will until angels came and ministered unto Him. Are you often weary and tired? Have you toilsome journeys and busy days when you can scarcely bear the fatigue and labor? So was it with Jesus. Remember how He sat down wearied at the well. Remember how He "had no time so much as to eat." Remember how He fainted beneath the weight of His cross. Have you to battle sore with temptations to evil? So had Jesus. The devil dogged His steps, and tried evermore to draw Him from His steadfast allegiance to a Father’s will. Have you to endure scorn, ridicule, reproach, false witness? Do you know what it is to be forsaken and desolate? Are you afflicted and tried by days of agonizing pain? Is your cup full to the brim of life’s woes and sorrows?

All this was true of Jesus, and He knows how hard it is for you to bear. Therefore will you not trust Him? Will you not go to Him and lean upon Him for the sympathy you need?

I remember once saying to a lady who was far from strong, and who was walking a few steps with me along the garden walk, "I do not feel your weight." I wished her to get more help from leaning on my arm. I had scarcely said it, but the thought occurred to me — Does not the Savior chide me thus? Do I "lean hard" upon Him as I ought? Do I let Him know that I am depending upon His aid in all my weakness and infirmity? And why should I not? Why should I doubt or question His mighty help?

He is "able to support." He can support — and He will. Therefore I will wait upon Him. I will remember that He is the Lord of providence as well as grace. All things are in His hand. He can put a limit to Satan’s power. He can remove the burden or the snare. He can raise up friendly help or counsel. At the very nick of time, He can take away the greatest stumbling block I may ever have had, and make my path plain before me. I may be assured that He will not allow me to be tempted above that I am able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape, that I may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I will remember that He has the gift of the Spirit in His hand. If the enemy pours water on the fire to quench it — then He can pour in a supply of oil to maintain it. If He permits the thorn in the flesh to remain — He can make His grace sufficient, and make the trial profitable to myself and to others. By His Spirit, as the Spirit of remembrance, He can suggest helpful words of Holy Scripture, which will strengthen me in time of need.

Am I cast down because my repentance is not deep enough? He tells me that "He is exalted to give repentance and remission of sins."

Am I afraid that my prayers will not be heard? He tells me whatever I shall ask the Father in His name He will give me.

Am I more than ever conscious of the vast debt of sin, and can I scarcely see how it can be forgiven? He reminds me of Himself. He says, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Am I afraid of going astray, and do I feel that I need a guide continually? He speaks of His love and care. "I am the Good Shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known by them."

Am I lonely, and long for someone to be with me? He brings back the glorious "Fear not" of Isaiah 41:1-29 : "Fear not, for I am with you — be not dismayed, for I am your God."

Am I ready to fall into some sin? He suggests the petition: "Hold me up — and I shall be safe! Keep me as the apple of Your eye." Is temper and irritability and sharpness my special bane? He gently whispers, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and gentle in heart." Is it the fear of the last enemy that oppresses me? He still can comfort. "When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you." "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Thus in many ways He can support. He can remove the temptation — or give strength to meet it. He can sustain the soul by the assurance of His sympathy and all-sufficient grace. He can guard you in the furnace, so that not a hair of your head perish. He can support in deep waters, so that you shall never sink. Only remember one thing. The hand of your Redeemer is mighty — but it is faith and prayer which lays hold of it, and clasps it tight! The everlasting arms can surely support you — but you must repose within them by humbly waiting upon the Lord, and trusting in His faithful help. In temptation do not look around for help to this friend or that. Do not look to yourself, to your own resolutions or promises, or to anything you have been, or done, or can do. Do not look down on the earth, yielding yourself a prey to dark and gloomy thoughts, but look up. Look up, and see Jesus ever standing by you, and ready to assist you! Look to Him to increase your faith, to break through the meshes of the net which encompasses you, and to bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Look unto Him now. Look unto Him always. Look unto Him continually, even to the end. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will make you more than conqueror through His mighty aid.