'Difficulties Overwhelm Me': Luke 22:24-30 (Patience)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Patience?

Read Luke 22:24-28:

"A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials."

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Describe the difficulties you are currently enduring?

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers comments on Luke 22:28.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald writes:

'Watch when God changes your circumstances to see whether you are going on with Jesus, or siding with the world, the flesh, and the devil. We wear His name, but are we going on with Him?'

Despite the difficulties you are experiencing, how much do you want to keep 'going on with Jesus'?

In the past, what has God revealed to you about your identity and purpose in the Kingdom of God? How does He see you?

Write your answer in the space provided.

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66).

Oswald reminds us that 'many of us turn back from going on with Jesus' when we begin to experience real adversity as a result of following Him.

How often have you seen this played out in the lives of other Christians?

Describe how you are being tempted to side with the world, the flesh, and the devil.

What lies are they using to tempt you away from your true identity and circumstances in God?

What are they trying to convince you of that is not true, unholy and ungodly?

Oswald observes:

'Are you going on with Jesus? The way goes through Gethsemane, through the city gate, and on “outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:13).

How much difficulty did Jesus go through in order to fulfill His identity and purpose as Savior, Redeemer and Son of Man?

Oswald continues:

'We have the idea that we ought to shield ourselves from some of the things God brings around us. May it never be! It is God who engineers our circumstances, and whatever they may be we must see that we face them while continually abiding with Him in His temptations."

Do you agree that God engineers your circumstances to fulfill your identity and purpose as a child of God, disciple, friend and witness to Jesus Christ?

Take a moment to get quiet and pray.

Ask God to reveal to you what He is doing in your current difficulties and what He wants you to do about it.

If you don't hear anything, capture any impressions you receive while in prayer.

You can write down what you receive in the space provided.

Oswald concludes:

'The way is lonely and goes on until there is no longer even a trace of a footprint to follow— but only the voice saying, “Follow Me”.'

Though your difficulties may have you feeling forgotten, alone and abandoned at this moment, will you recommit to follow Him through this current adversity?

If you like, take a moment to talk privately to Jesus about your answer.

Returning to Luke 22, Jesus tells His disciples:

"You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22: 28-30)

Like His disciples who remained with Him, you have chosen to stand by Jesus in His trials.

Now ask Him to reveal to you how He will redeem your heartache, pain and difficulties.

Write down any impressions you receive.

How much has this Trail increased the fruit of patience in your current circumstances?