He Understands

I love Lucy! Lucy is my Westhighland White Terrier. There's a number of reasons why I love her. She's energetic, she's feisty, she's small enough to sit on my lap, she's a good watch-dog, she's gentle with my granddaughter, she's...well, you get the idea. I love her.

This week reminded me of another reason why I love Lucy. In the middle of the night (early Tuesday a.m.), I got hammered with a flu bug like I haven't had in years. My wife had to work on Tuesday, so I was left alone in my pain and misery. It was so bad I was only out of bed for 45 minutes on Tuesday--to feed the dog and to open the sliding glass door so she could go in and out. Other than that, Tuesday was a miserable day spent alone in bed. Except for Lucy.

For those of you who have pets, you will probably agree with me when I say, I believe Lucy understood that I wasn't feeling well. She acted different than she typically does. She curled up on the bed beside me and snuggled close. She didn't beg for attention or to be petted. Lucy simply seemed to understand that I wasn't feeling well and that since she and I were the only ones in the house, she was the one who was going to have to provide me with some comfort.

Lucy understood me. I love Lucy.

Lucy's understanding reminds me of Hebrews 4:15,16. Notice what it says.

"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."

Jesus understands. He understands our temptations. He understands our weaknesses. He understands that we fall and fail. He understands that we need His help. He understands how important His mercy is to us. He understands how desperately we need His grace. Jesus understands.

Because Jesus understands, He has provided the mercy, the grace, and the help that we need. And so He invites you and me to come confidently to the throne of grace. We don't come haltingly or hesitatingly to the throne of grace. We come in humble confidence to receive His mercy, His grace, and His help. Why? Because Jesus understands!

When you are tempted to despair, when you're tempted to give up, when you're tempted to think you have to go through life alone, remember: You are invited to come to the throne of grace with confidence because He understands!