For Reading and Meditation:      Lamentations 3:19-27Now we come to the turning point of the seventy-third psalm - the point where the psalmist takes the first step toward the resolution of his problem. We must not forget that the purpose of this psalm is to show us how the writer solved his problem, so that when we get into the same kind of difficulty we can apply the same solutions. Here, then, is his first step: "If I had said, 'I will speak thus,' I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me" (Psalm 73:15-16). We see in these words what it was that arrested his feelings of doubt and despair - the thought that if he were to speak out of his discouraged heart he would put a stumbling block in someone else's path. "If I did that," he thinks to himself, "I would be untrue to the generation of God's children. So, rather than discourage others with my doubts, I will not say anything at all." Some might regard it as strange that the first step the psalmist took on the road to recovery should be one with such a low motivation. Indeed, there are those who have said it was unworthy of him and that he should not have allowed himself to get into that condition. Similarly, when people in the Church today confess to having "unspiritual" feelings, I am sure you have heard judgmental advice-givers address them with words like: "You ought not to feel like that!" But the point is that they do feel like that, and reality demands that we begin right where they are and not where we would like them to be. Personally, I do not care how low a person's stand might be as long as he or she is standing and not slipping.Gracious and loving Father, teach me how to handle myself in a crisis and help me not to be too proud to begin at the lowest level. Better to have my feet on the lowest rung of the ladder than to be struggling in the mire. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Hebrews 4:1-16</li><li>Matthew 9:36</li><li>Mark 1:41</li><li>Luke 7:13</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Why can we come boldly to the Lord with our feelings?</li><li>What will we obtain?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

" my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope." (vv. 20-21) 

For Reading and Meditation:      Hebrews 4:1-16We turn now to consider that facet of God's character which we describe as "grace." Grace is more than a synonym for love; it is a characteristic of the Deity which is quite close to love (and mercy) but yet deserves to be seen as different and distinctive. I heard an old Welsh preacher say: "Grace is a word with a 'stoop' in it; love reaches out on the same level, but grace always has to stoop to pick one up." It was probably this same thought that an anonymous writer had in mind when he said: "Grace is love at its loveliest, falling on the unlovable and making it lovely." But it is to the great Puritan preacher Thomas Goodwin we must turn for the best clarification of the difference between love and grace: "Grace is more than mercy and love. It superadds to them. It denotes not simply love but love of a sovereign, transcendently superior One that may do what He will, that may freely choose whether He will love or no. There may be love between equals, and an inferior may love a superior, but love in a Superior, and so superior that He may do what He will, in such a One love is called grace. Grace is attributed to princes; they are said to be 'gracious' to their subjects whereas subjects cannot be gracious to princes." Grace then is God's kindness bestowed upon the undeserving; benevolence handed down to those who have no merit; a hand reaching down to those who have fallen into a pit. The Bible bids us believe that on the throne of the universe there is a God like that.Loving and gracious God, help me understand more deeply than ever what it means to be a recipient of Your grace. I have some idea but I long to realize it even more. Help me, my Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Daniel 9:1-18</li><li>Deuteronomy 9:5</li><li>1 Peter 5:5</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Is grace the result of righteousness?</li><li>Who does God give grace to?</li></ul></div></div>

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence " (v. 16)

For Reading and Meditation:      Psalm 139:1-24We continue exploring the fact that God is not only powerful, but personal. The constituent parts of personality are predicated of God on almost every page of the Bible. "I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind," said the Lord to Eli in 1 Samuel 2:35. This shows (if it needs showing) that God has a mind with which He thinks. God has emotions also - another aspect of personality. Some modern-day theologians claim that God is unable to feel, but clearly this is not supported by Scripture. God can be angry (Psalm 2:12), jealous (Zechariah 1:14-15), merciful (Psalm 78:38), and joyful (Deuteronomy 30:9). These are just a few of the emotions which Scripture talks about, but there are many more. Again, God chooses and decides. "And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth  And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created " (Genesis 6:6-7, KJV). While the majority of human beings believe in some kind of God, many view Him as being so great that He cannot possibly take a personal interest in such insignificant creatures as ourselves. Dr. Henry Norris Russell, one of the great astronomers of this century and a Christian, once gave a talk on the vastness of the universe. Afterwards someone asked him this question: "How is it possible for such a great and infinite God to have time for me?" This was his reply: "An infinite God can dispatch the affairs of this universe in the twinkling of an eye, thus giving Him plenty of time for you."O Father, help me in the midst of every trial and difficulty to drop my anchor in this reassuring and encouraging revelation - no matter what my problem, You always have plenty of time to give to me. I am so deeply, deeply thankful. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Hebrews 4:12-16</li><li>Psalm 2:12</li><li>Zechariah 1:14-15</li><li>Psalm 78:38</li><li>Deuteronomy 30:9</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Can you think of other scriptures showing God's emotions?</li><li>What is God able to do through Christ?</li></ul></div></div>

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" (v. 17)

For Reading and Meditation:      Hebrews 4:12-16Yesterday we ended with the case of the woman who said that she didn't know how to mourn, when in reality her problem was she didn't want to mourn. Whenever we are unwilling to face a negative emotion, it implies that we are not in control of it, but that it is in control of us. Christians are often taught to pretend that they feel joyful when really they are miserable. Our text today, however, tells us that we have a great High Priest who can sympathise with us in our weaknesses. How pointless it is to conceal our weaknesses from the Lord and deny ourselves the comfort of His uncritical compassionate understanding. This is very important, for I would say that eight out of ten Christians have a completely wrong view of how to handle hurts and sorrows. The typical Christian reaction to negative emotions is either denial or expression. We dealt yesterday with the issue of denial - refusing to face them and feel them - so let's consider for a moment what we mean by the term "expression". The expression of emotions is the act of letting our emotions out. This is a popular approach with many of today's counsellors and therapists. They say, when you feel upset, hurt or angry, then shout and scream or punch a pillow until you have released those pent-up emotions. There is no doubt that some relief can be gained in this way, but it is not a very Biblical or mature way of dealing with our negative feelings. The right way of handling negative feelings is neither to deny them or express them, but to acknowledge them. But more of that tomorrow. O Father, I see that this whole issue of emotions is a minefield in which I must tread carefully and cautiously. Take my hand as I move through this area and lead me to clear and Biblical conclusions. For Jesus' sake. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Luke 10:25-37</li><li>Luke 7:13</li><li>Matthew 9:36</li><li>Matthew 20:34</li><li>Mark 1:41</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Jesus always demonstrating?</li><li>How did He graphically illustrate this?</li></ul></div></div>

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses '" (v. 15)

For Reading and Meditation:      John 8:31-47Jesus publicly made the challenge: " Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" Here we are face to face with a kind of person who had not been seen since Adam in his pre-fallen condition - a man without sin. The disciples had shared every kind of experience with Him that mortals can share, had seen Him at all hours of day and night, had seen Him tired, hungry and disappointed, scorned, abused and hunted to death, had ridden with Him on a wave of popularity and hidden with Him from inquisitive miracle-mongers, yet they certainly could find no fault in Him. It is quite possible to know too much about some people. A gardener who was employed by a minister was asked why he did not come to hear him preach. Half in jest but half in earnest he replied: "I know too much about him." But none of the disciples ever said that concerning Jesus. They saw no flaw in Him. Moreover, not only were His intimates unable to discover sin in Him; He had no awareness of it in Himself. He lived intimately with God His Father, but the holiness of God did not rebuke Him. It didn't because it couldn't. He was sinless, spotless, perfect. If it be granted that Jesus was a good man, and if it be granted that a good man is ready always to tell the truth, are we not constrained by His own words to believe that He was something more than a good man? He is much much more than a good man; He is the God-Man. O Jesus, my Savior and my God, when I think of how You, the sinless One, took on Yourself my sins and bore them all away, I feel it must be too good to be true. But yet I know it is too good not to be true. Thank You, my Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>2 Corinthians 5:1-21</li><li>Isaiah 53:9</li><li>Hebrews 4:15</li><li>1 Peter 1:18-20</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What did the centurion declare?</li><li>How did Peter describe Christ's sinlessness?</li></ul></div></div>

"Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" (v. 46) 

<div class="center-it bold mt40"> </div>"We have not a high-priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses," would be more literal, but would not be more beautiful. The statement is in the negative, and seems to summon us for a moment to consider what our condition would be, if we had a high-priest incapable of sympathizing with us. We may also view it as conveying a reproach to those who act towards Christ as though he were such a high priest. They do so when the keen sense of their infirmities hinders their confidence in him, and their joy in his promises. God hath suffered you to discover your weakness for the very reason that you might be drawn to Christ, the source of strength; and to discover your own unloveliness, that you might know the loveliness of Christ. God is teaching you your need of sympathy and aid; and yet in that very hour you hide yourself from the fountain-head of sympathy and succor. Is it not enough that you should lose the notion of your own goodness, - but must you strip Christ of his goodness and glory? For what would Christ be without sympathy, without compassion for the erring? If he were what you would make him out to be, would the ten thousand times ten thousand say with a loud voice, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing?" Do you wish to extinguish this chorus?

A daily devotional written by a Baptist Missionary to India, Reverend George Bowen (1816-1888) over 150 years ago.

Bowen's Daily Meditations

"We have not a high-priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." - Hebrews 4:15.  

Matthew 3:13 to Matthew 4:11The beginning of Christ's ministry was marked by two important events - His baptism and His temptation. These were thirty silent years, without any manifestation of Divine power, except the beautiful, sinless life which Jesus lived. We must think of those years, however, as part of the Incarnation. The Divine character was revealed not only in miracles and heavenly teachings - but in sweet, beautiful living.John said that he was not worthy to unloose the shoes of the Coming One. Now when he recognizes this glorious One waiting before him to be baptized, he shrinks from the performance of the rite. He would have refused. "I have need to be baptized of You, and do You come to me?" But Jesus insisted on receiving baptism from John. "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." The words are full of meaning. The event was of great importance in the life of Jesus.For one thing, it was the identifying of Himself with humanity. He stood for us men and our redemption. He had no sin - but His people were sinful and He died for them. It was also the acceptance by Jesus of His Messianic work. The years of preparation were ended, and the time had come for Him to begin His public ministry. The call came, bidding Him turn away from His quiet life - and manifest Himself to His people. We can think of Him shutting up the carpenter's shop and leaving it forever. Then He stood before the Baptist at the Jordan and was baptized. He had a glimpse that hour of all that lay before Him in His Messianic ministry. The shadow of the cross fell upon the green banks and on the flowing water, fell also upon the gentle and lowly soul of Jesus as He stood there. He knew for what He was being baptized - the mission of redemption. We do not know to what we are devoting ourselves, what our consecration may mean - when we stand up and give ourselves to God. In a certain sense we go forth in the dark. Yet we may trust God with the guidance of our lives and should devote ourselves to the will of God without question or condition.John obeyed the wish of Jesus and baptized Him. The baptism of Jesus became the occasion of a Divine testimony to His Sonship. Luke tells us that as He was being baptized He prayed, and as He prayed the heavens were opened unto Him. Prayer brought down upon Jesus, the Holy Spirit. This was Heaven's answer to Christ's consecration. This was the Divine anointing for His public ministry. Instead of a horn of oil poured upon His head, the mere emblem of grace, He received all the fullness of the Spirit.The Spirit came in the form of a dove. It is usual to think of the dove as in its nature, in some way a symbol of the character and disposition of the Spirit. Dr. Horton quotes an old commentator: "The dove is a lover of men and bears ills patiently; for, robbed of its young, it endures and lets the robbers approach it just the same; it is the purest of creatures and delights in sweet fragrances." The first mention of the dove in the Bible is as a messenger of good news, bearing an olive leaf. An old legend relates that when Jesus was dying a dove sat on the cross above His head, and the legend has been interpreted to mean that even after the blood of the Lamb of God was given to redeem the world, it is needful that the Spirit shall come to soften men's hearts and incline then to yield to God.There was another manifestation at the baptism - first, the open heavens, second, the descending of the Spirit, then a voice. The voice was the testimony of the Father to His Son. "This is My beloved Son, in who I am well pleased." From Matthew's account it would seem that the voice spoke to the people, declaring to them that Jesus was the Messiah. From Luke's Gospel it would appear that the words were spoken to Jesus Himself, assuring Him of His mission and of the Father's pleasure in Him. This was the real, the inner meaning of the baptism of Jesus. From this time, His consciousness of messianic authority was clear.After this came the temptation. It was necessary that Christ should be tempted, before He offered Himself as the Redeemer of sinners. The first Adam was tried in Eden and failed. The second Adam must also be put to the test, before he could go forth as Lord of men. Several reasons may be suggested why He must be tempted. One was because He was human and must meet every human experience. His temptations were real - He "suffered being tempted." Another reason was that until He had met and overcome the tempter, He was not ready to offer Himself to men as a strong and victorious Savior. The Holy Spirit is not the tempter - but it is said expressly that Jesus was led by the Spirit, driven, Mark says, to be tempted. He must be tried, tested, proved - before He went forth to His messianic work.<div class="center-it mtb10">We know now that Christ is able to deliver us out of the hands of Satan, and to defend us against his fiercest assaults. But if He had not Himself been put to the test, in all points tempted like as we are - yet without sins (Hebrews 4:15), we could not have had this perfect confidence. Another reason why Jesus was tempted, was that He might understand from personal experience, the nature and power of His people's temptations, and thus be able to sympathize with them in their struggles. In the Epistle to the Hebrews we are told that because of His earthly experience of temptation, He can now in heaven be touched with the feelings of our infirmities .</div>There are very practical lessons we may learn from this narrative of our Lord's temptation. One is that Satan times his temptations to our hours of weakness, or our period of special stress. He does not tempt us with something we do not want - but with something that appeals to our cravings at the time. Jacob cold not have brought Esau's birthright for a thousand bowls of pottage, if Esau had not been hungry that day. Satan watches, and when he finds us exhausted and weary - he takes advantage of our condition. He comes to the boy when he is lonesome and homesick, tempting him to seek companions that will ruin him.Jesus was hungry after His long praying and fasting - and Satan tempted Him to use His Divine power to turn stones into bread. Many temptations come to people who are hungry. They are tempted to be dishonest, to take employment that is sinful, or in some other way to sell themselves - to get bread. We need to be watchful against the tempter always - but especially in the times of our weakness and craving.Why would it have been wrong for Jesus to exert His Divine power to provide bread for His hunger? Is it wrong to feed one's hunger? Jesus afterwards made bread by miracle, to feed the hunger of thousands. Why would it have been a sin for Him, to supply bread in this supernatural way for Himself when He was hungry? For one thing, it would have been receiving direction from the Evil One, instead of from His Father. Another reason was that He was in this world to live as men live. If He had used His Divine power to help Himself over the hard points of human experience, He would not have understood our life, for we cannot do this. Therefore, He never wrought a miracle for Himself. He met life just as we must meet it, enduring hunger, thirst, weariness, pain, wrong, without having recourse to supernatural power. Still further, it would have been distrusting His Father, for Him to make bread of the stones. He was under the Divine Care, and God had given Him no command to turn stones into bread. He must wait until His Father provided for His hunger.The answer of Christ to Satan's temptation, is very suggestive. He said that man shall not live by bread alone - but by every Word of God. Our physical needs are not our only needs. Sometimes men excuse their sin by saying, "Well, I must live," as if hunger excused theft or fraud. But it is not true that we must continue to live, or that living is in itself the best thing for us. It is true, however, that we must obey God's commandments and do His Will. We would better any day starve than commit even the smallest sin to get food. Getting bread should not be our first object in living - indeed, it is not our business at all. Life's first duty is to obey every Word of God, and then God will provide for our needs.The second temptation was to presumption. The tempter asked Christ to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, quoting words from an old Psalm (Psalms 91) to prove that he would not be hurt - but that God would take care of Him. Thus, the tempter whispered, He would prove to the people that He was their Messiah. What would have been wrong in this? Jesus said it would have been tempting God. If the Father for any reason had commanded Him to leap from the pinnacle into the street, then He could have claimed the promise of protection. But if He had thus accepted the suggestion of the tempter, the promise would have been void. We cannot claim protection in danger which we enter without the Divine bidding. Only when God sends us and guides us - do we have the Divine shelter about us.The third temptation was the boldest of all. Christ had just entered upon His public ministry, and at the end of it He saw the cross. Satan suggested to Him the worldly way of honor and power instead of the lowly way of suffering, sacrifice and shameful death. This temptation Satan uses continually with men. He shows them visions of wealth, of worldly success, and says: "Now all this may be yours - I will give it all to you. True, you must give up some of your old notions. You must get over some of you scruples. But throw these away - and this door is open to you, and see where the path leads - to all splendor and brilliance. You will be a millionaire. You will be highly esteemed. You will have all the pleasure you want."Too many people yield to this temptation. The old ways of prayer, obedience, simple honesty and faithfulness, seem dull in contrast with the flowery paths which the vision shows. Yes - but we must look on to the end, beyond the glamour of the tempter's vision - before we can conclude that what Satan promises will be a good thing for us.

A unique type of devotional from the writings of James Russell Miller, published between 1908 and 1913.

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

Matthew 3:13;Matthew 4:11

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. (2 Corinthians 1:8 ESV)

The Lord Jesus said "I am the true Vine," and 
it was prophesied of Him that He would tread the winepress alone. The Cross was 
His winepress. How He was pressed in the Cross! He was crushed and broken, but 
out of that breaking has come the Life which you and I have, and which so many 
in all the nations have received. That is true, in a measure, of His Church. It 
was out of the breaking and crushing of the Church that the Life came to the 
world. And that is true of every member, every branch of the vine. If we are to fulfill this true, living ministry, it will only be through suffering, through 
the winepress, through pressure and through breaking. Paul said: "We 
were pressed out of measure, above strength" (2 Corinthians 1:8 – A.V.) – 
but what Life has come out of that man's pressure! It is like that. We are not 
talking about preaching and Bible teaching, but about this great ministry of 
Christ giving His Life through us. It may be passed on to others through 
preaching, or through teaching, or through living, but if it is His Life it will 
come out of experiences of suffering. A preacher or a teacher who has never 
suffered will never minister Life.
Well, this may not seem a very pleasant 
outlook, but it is true. The best doctors and nurses are those who know 
something about suffering themselves. Some are just professional, treating you 
as a case – you are just case number blank. But, ah! there are others who treat you as 
a person, a human being, who care for you. If you ask why, you may find that 
they have a background of suffering themselves. They know just a little of what 
you are going through. We have read in the Letter to the Hebrews: "We have 
not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; 
but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are... He is able to 
succor them that are tempted" (Hebrews 4:15, 2:18). He has been the 
way of the winepress and we have received the benefit.

This devotional contains short daily portions from a selection of Mr. Austin-Sparks' messages. In his own words, “Perhaps this is just like a window opened into heaven. If you get the right window you can see quite a lot. You can see great things and you can see far things. But the best that I can hope is that this has just opened a window, and that as you look through it you are seeing one thing - how superior is Jesus Christ to all else, and how superior is the dispensation into which we have come, and how superior are all the resources at our disposal to all that ever was before!” Open Windows messages have been selected and compiled by Austin-Sparks.Net from the works of T. Austin-Sparks. In some cases they appear in abridged form. The introductory verse and its associated Bible version have been selected by the editor and did not always appear within the original message.

Open Windows

The On-High Calling - Chapter 6

 The Way Of The Winepress 

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 Fear not, I am the first and the last 

[Jesus], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. § [He] is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory. Seeing … that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.

 You shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord. 

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. § Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them … And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. § Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” § A High Priest … [to] sympathize with our weaknesses. § In His love and in His pity He redeemed them. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. § Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

 Leaning on Jesus’ bosom. 

In the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. § We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. § My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will con- tend with him who contends with you … All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. § Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. § In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. § The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

 I am with you to save you. 

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. § Sympathize with our weaknesses. He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. § Jesus … being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. Jesus wept. § For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the Lord viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death. § He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. § When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. He who touches you touches the apple of His eye. § In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them.

 I know their sorrows. 

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. § The exhortation … speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.” § Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. § For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. § God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.

 Now for a little while . . . you have been grieved by various trials. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. § We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. § He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray. § Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your maidservant.

Evening Daily Light

 Jesus … was moved with compassion for them. 

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. § We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. § It was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. § Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. How He loved him! § He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

 Jesus wept. 

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. When the tempter came to [ Jesus], he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” … The devil … showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory … Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan!” In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Blessed is the man who endures temptation.

 In all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way. § We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. Then they brought little children to Him … And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant. § The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. § You were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. § “I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God.

 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young. 

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin.

For we do not have a high priest<cr>1</cr> who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are<cr>2</cr> —yet he did not sin.<cr>3</cr>

Hebrews 4:15

 15 For we do not have a high priest   who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are  —yet he did not sin.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin.

 For we do not have a high priest   who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are  —yet he did not sin.  

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July 6, 2024

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

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