Day 18 — Help in the Moment

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that 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.”

— Hebrews 4:15–16 (BSB)

Have you ever tried to explain a problem to someone who just didn’t get it? Maybe you told a grown-up how hard something was, and they said, “Just stop worrying about it,” or “That’s easy!” It makes you feel alone.

Here’s great news: when it comes to temptation, Jesus gets it.

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” Jesus isn’t far away, unable to understand what you’re going through. He was “tempted in every way that we are.” He was a boy, a teenager and a young man. He knows what it’s like to be hungry, tired, lonely, frustrated, pressured and tempted.

But there’s one big difference: He was “without sin.” He faced every kind of temptation, and He never gave in, not even once.

That means two amazing things for you.

First, He understands. When you’re struggling, you’re not talking to someone who will look down on you. You’re talking to someone who knows exactly how it feels.

Second, He can help. Because He won every battle, He has the power to help you win yours.

So what should you do when you’re tempted? “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.” Don’t run away from God. Don’t hide. Come to Him boldly! His throne is called “the throne of grace,” a place where you’ll find kindness, not condemnation.

And look at what you’ll find there: “mercy and… grace to help us in our time of need.” Right in the moment, when you’re tempted, when you’re struggling, even right after you’ve messed up, you can run to God and find help.

You can pray a simple prayer right in the middle of temptation: Jesus, help me! He hears. He understands. And He helps.

This week, you learned how temptation works, how to watch and pray, how to run from wrong desires and chase good things, how two are better than one, and how not to trade forever for a bowl of stew. And today, you learned that when you’re tempted, you can run straight to Jesus.

A true story: Sundar Singh grew up in India in a Sikh family, searching for God but never finding peace. He grew so angry that he even burned a Bible. Then, early one morning, he prayed one last desperate prayer, and he saw Jesus, alive and full of love. From that moment on, Sundar belonged to Jesus. His family turned him out of their home, and he believed they even tried to poison him. But nothing could make him give Jesus up. He became a wandering preacher, walking barefoot across India and up into the icy mountains of Tibet to tell people about Jesus. People called him “the apostle with the bleeding feet.” You can read his whole story in Brave for God.

Think about it: How does it help to know that Jesus was tempted too, and understands?

Try this: The next time you’re tempted, pray right away: “Jesus, help me!”

Dear Jesus, thank You that You understand what it’s like to be tempted, and that You never gave in. When I’m struggling, help me come to You with confidence. Give me mercy and grace in my time of need. In Your name, Amen.