Day TWO Devotional: the GARDEN!
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to a favorite place to pray, the garden of Gethsemane.
He then told His disciples “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40 NKJV).
What He means was that you not be overcome by or fall into temptation. For many of us, at that time of night, it might be to FALL ASLEEP!
Then Jesus PRAYED an amazing prayer: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup (of suffering-NLT) away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 NKJV).
Jesus knew He was about to face the cross, the battle was won, here in prayer, before it began in the natural realm. But look @ what happens next:
“Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” (Luke 22:43).
The Greek word enischuous means: “to impart strength, to empower someone, to give a renewed vitality…a sudden blast of energy, instantly recharged” (Rick Renner – Sparkling Gems from the Greek).
An angel is a messenger, envoy, or one who is sent. An angel is one sent on a mission from God. Not only do angels minister “FOR those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14 NKJV) but they also bring protection, relief and support (Psalms 91:11 NKJV).
“Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who DO HIS WORD, HEEDING the VOICE of His word” (Psalm 103:20 NKJV Emphasis Mine).
Angels were created, with the primary mission, to DO God’s Word. What word are we talking about? Angels OBEY or heed the VOICE of the SPOKEN word of God.
Angels are waiting for someone to SPEAK THE WORD and that gives them authority to act in this natural realm. Part of their ministry is to RECHARGE the believer. That same angelic ministry for Christ is available today. We can be given a jump start, like a battery, in times of great crisis and need. How awesome is that.