Our Merciful High Priest

Beloved, it does not matter what you are going through. Jesus has walked in your shoes and that is what makes Him a merciful High Priest. You do not have to tell Him all your pain. He knows all about it because He has felt it Himself. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

Consider a precious, worried man who has fallen into great temptation. He has sinned grievously against God and he feels his heart growing cold. He thinks, "I can't make it! I'm too inconsistent and Satan is throwing all of hell at me. I've been overtaken by my temptation many times, yet I love Jesus. Oh, Lord, I want to be free and clean!"

This man is worn out, discouraged, and the devil stands beside him, accusing: "He fell into sin, God. He can't withstand temptation. His garment is spotted, filthy."

But the Advocate steps in between this man and his accuser: "Father, I know what this man is going through. The devil also drove Me into a wilderness and tempted Me severely. I was tempted to blaspheme, to fall down and worship Satan. I know what temptation is all about and I know this man's heart. There is a spark of faith still in him, an ember of love in his heart for Me.

"Father, look upon him as righteous through My blood. Deliver him from the power of darkness and the wicked one. I want him to be accepted, forgiven, restored, and given power from on high to resist the devil. I pray for his deliverance."

The next day, this man picks up his Bible and reads a powerful truth he has never seen before. He falls to his knees, and God comes to him with deliverance -- because the High Priest has prayed.

Your Advocate knows your address. He has counted every hair on your head. He knows your every thought, feels your every pain, hears your every cry. So, beloved, take heart -- because Jesus is praying for you!