Both Jesus and the Israelites were concerned about the future, but one chose to remain in the Father’s will and the other to step outside it.  This is the line.  It is permissible to respond to frightening or complicated circumstances in life by testing God’s perceived will in our lives, but as we do we should come in humility, with every intention of obeying: even if it kills us.  (Previous post)

What value, then, is there in contending with God if we have ultimately determined to live for Him regardless of our circumstances?  Wouldn’t we save ourselves a lot of anxiety by accepting events as they occur without asking “why?”  We might at that.  But is this God’s will?  Did He create us with our own free will only to watch us refuse to face our fears and doubts and, as they say, merely accept the “hand that’s dealt?”  I am convinced there are two reasons why God is not disappointed in us when we raise questions, but rather pleased.

First, we learn through the process of debate.  School debate teams are more than vehicles for people who love to argue.  They create a thirst for truth, and present ideas in a public forum where they can be tested.  In other words, we learn by asking questions, and we expose bad logic by sharing our theories and conclusions with others.

Whether we call Jesus’ agonizing discourse In the Garden of Gethsemane a debate or not, He was obviously seeking confirmation as Satan pressed Him from every side.  The content of His prayer is not fully disclosed, but it had a different tone than the one recorded in John 17, commonly called Jesus “high priestly prayer.”  In His “priestly prayer” Jesus prayed for His disciples.  In the Garden He is engaged in a fierce spiritual battle that would ultimately determine our eternal destiny.  The question Jesus raised of His Father was simple: “Is there another way?”  The answer was simple as well: “No.”  And Jesus’ submitted with unwavering obedience.

If Jesus came to earth to die on the cross, why do you believe He was allowed to struggle with Satan in the Garden of Gethsemane? 

Why do you believe God allows you to struggle as you discern His will?