“Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And in anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” —Luke 22:43–44
Here we see a ministering angel sent to strengthen Jesus as He prays in anguish. The word translated “anguish” is from the Greek word agonia meaning: “A contest, conflict; stress, agony intense inner tension. It has in mind the intense anxiety, dread, or tension one experiences in anticipation of a conflict, as a soldier before a battle or an athlete before a match. It denotes Jesus’ anguished state of mind in Gethsemane prior to the crucifixion. He is filled with dreaded anticipation, not fright or panic, as He faces the epic battle on which man’s salvation rests. In the ultimate conflict of the ages, Jesus will emerge as the Victor” (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids).
I love the fact that God sent an angel to strengthen our Lord! I am reminded of Psalm 91:11:
“For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do.”
Jesus earnestly sought His Father in prayer. God was His refuge—as He is ours. While Jesus was not delivered from His sufferings, He was strengthened and supported in them. We are always given the grace sufficient to meet every difficulty God allowed us to face.
Oftentimes during trials and calamities, it is difficult to remember the promises of God. I have found Psalm 91 to be a helpful passage of scripture to turn to. Indeed, I have found it to be so profitable in my life I have committed the entire Psalm to memory. I call it the “I will” Psalm. In its sixteen verses, we find the word “will” used over 20 times! It points to God as being our faithful refuge, fortress, and protector as we rest in His shadow—even through the difficulties we experience. This wonderful psalm ends with these encouraging words:
“The LORD says, ‘Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he is loyal to me. When he calls out to me I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation’”. —Psalm 91:14–16
God delivers, protects, and answers. He is with us in trouble. He rescues and honors and satisfies. Who could ask for greater promises than these?
“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” —Hebrews 2:17–18
Become More
“Grief exalts us, and troubles lift us.” —Charles Spurgeon
“The one who gives the power gets the glory.” —John Piper
“Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.” —Alexander Maclaren
“Faith raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still. We gain nothing by our restless and anxious efforts … It is therefore true wisdom, in all times of difficulty and perplexity, to stand still—to wait only upon God, and He will assuredly open a way for us.” —C.H. Mackintosh
Further Reflections
“Though assaults be many, and my enemies mighty, if God strengthen me, I have enough to comfort me; for the greater my enemy, the more glorious my victory; and the more glorious my victory, the more triumphant my glory.” —K.H. von Bogatzky
“The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot sustain you!” —Anonymous