Drinking the Bitter Cup

Luke 22:42 records Jesus praying,"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." He knows he's headed for the agony of the cross, and his flesh quails before this reality. Nevertheless, he submits his will to the will of the One with the bigger plan. He accepts the bitter cup.

Most of us have some sort of bitter cup: a difficult marriage, chronic illness, financial hardship, heartrending loss, stressful job situation...just to name a few.  I am convinced that our choice to either drink or refuse this cup has far reaching (though often initially unseen) consequences.  For example, choosing to divorce a difficult spouse rather than fulfilling your vow will affect generations.  Ending  your life because of a dibilitating disease will rob the world of an irreplaceable and uniquely gifted person. Quitting a difficult job may circumvent the refining process in your life or in the lives of coworkers.  

About six years ago I was hell bent on bailing out of an extremely painful situation.   By the grace of God, however, I was able to hold fast, and looking back at what seemed unbearable at the time, I am amazed at the blessings my family and I have reaped...just because I chose to drink the bitter cup.  I shudder to think what would have happened had I gone with the almost overwhelming pressure to escape something that seemed unendurable. 

The bitter cup Jesus drank resulted in the sweet redemption of mankind, and the bitter scroll Ezekiel ate (Ezekiel 3:1-3), became sweet in his stomach, signifying the Word of God, though sometimes bitter, is ultimately sweet, for nothing can be sweeter than living in the will of God.

Every dilemma in our lives has an answer. Our Creator didn't leave us in a lurch; He left us with a COUNSELOR: "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7.

Counselor is defined "One (usually a professional) who gives advice, opinion or instruction to direct the judgment or conduct of another."  The Holy Spirit is that One (working in conjunction with scriptural truths). 

 I love the following passages from the Word:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." (Hebrews 12:1-4; 7; 11-12).

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:2-5)

The last one is especially good, as it refers us to God for wisdom in all circumstances; not the world, our flesh, or tempting promises from the enemy, but GOD!

Go on, drink from that bitter cup and remain steadfast. Watch what the Lord will work out of your situation as you faithfully partner with Him. Don't hesitate to cry out to Him for wisdom...afterall, He's the smartest being in the universe :)