Oh What Joy!
Oh What Joy!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
[2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
Ready, Set, Go! This seems to be the way I feel when I walk out the door most days. Sadly, I have found myself so busy lately that I have been too tired to read my Bible. A good friend of mine told me recently that he is a “ten pager”. I laughed and thought to myself, I have to be at least a “three pager”. (This referring to how many pages into reading a book we get before we fall asleep and the book hits us in the face.) Often times I start to fear that I am just spinning wheels and not making any real difference.
It is in this time that I sometimes start to get discouraged and let the deceiver start whispering lies into my ear.
Then to the Glory of God, something amazing happens, I come across a scripture like the one above. I read that Jesus, who is the founder and the perfecter of our faith, endured unimaginable suffering and hardship for the joy that was set before Him. He found Joy, in that through His suffering, He was purchasing for His father many sons and daughters. I will be reminded this day that the All Mighty, the Alpha and Omega and the King of Kings felt the purchase of my soul was worthy of His sacrifice. Oh God, that I may never forget this glorious truth! No Satan, your lies of inadequacy and reminders of sins that are washed clean will not deter me from the endurance that my beautiful Savior calls me to. His sacrifice is sufficient and I will trust in Him. I will choose to be encouraged by a great cloud of witnesses, whom having run their race, are now in that celestial city, calling out, “You are worthy” to our precious King.
May we all find hope and peace in the person of Jesus Christ. To Him alone be the Glory!
