Wednesday, November 16, 2016
We can add Hebrews 12:2 to the multitude of things we can learn from Jesus. The NLV (New Life Version) says it this way: “Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God.” The writer of Hebrews, quite possibly Paul, is reminding us to look to Christ as an example regarding the matter of enduring life’s difficult trials. Obviously, the thought of the future glory that would be His, after suffering the pain, anguish, heartbreak, and shame of His appointment with the cross at Calvary, helped to supply Him with the grace and strength He needed in order to endure.
With this example in mind, anytime I find myself facing a difficult appointment, I always focus on the following hour or day. In other words, I look beyond the trial. I’m always aware that the Lord will be with me every step of the way, and know that I will overcome and make it safely to the other side. Isn’t the method of looking beyond better than dwelling on the impending trial itself ?
How about you? Is there an appointment up ahead that worries you, even strikes fear in your heart? Has it caused you to lose some sleep, even lose your appetite? Look unto Jesus! Because He was victorious, you will be too. Remember that in Christ, everything ends well. That’s what is implied in the favorite bible verse of many of you: “And we knowthat all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Permit me to remind you again: Don’t focus on that difficult event or trial up ahead, look beyond it. To borrow a line from an old hymn of the faith, “There’s a great day coming.”
God’s promise for today: (Psalms 4:8) “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
