Not my will but Thine be done

“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

We know this prayer was in the Garden of Gethsemane before Jesus went to the cross.  He prayed that if it were possible to avoid the cross (and still redeem mankind) then let it pass.  Apparently, the only way for us to be redeemed was for Christ to die.  No other way was possible.  He could have passed on the dying but then we would still be in our sins.

Then there is Christ’s acceptance – dying to self before dying for us.  NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS.

When we face a really difficult time – physically and a test of our spiritual strength – it is ok to ask God to let the cup pass if possible.  If the difficulty doesn’t pass, God has chosen that method to gain His end.

We may even assume that that end could not be reached any other way. But then comes the submission in the heart not just physically.   Dying to self and living for God.  Not my will but Thine be done.

A struggle comes when we think the will being done is someone other than God’s.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;

I will tell of all Your wonders.

I will be glad and exult in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” 

Psalm 9:1–2

Heather Jean Torosyan