Joy: Week 1 - Day 2
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, some days I struggle to make sense of life. May this time with you today bear the fruit of perseverance and faith. Amen.
READ:
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”(New Living Translation) Hebrews 12:2
REFLECT:
The Book of Hebrews has a whole chapter that gives example after example of people, who in spite of their circumstances, remained steadfast in their faith. Many faced severe suffering. The writer exhorts his readers to do likewise as many of them were experiencing persecution and trials. But he does one more thing – he provides a strategy for enduring amid suffering. He tells them to stay focused on Jesus. He calls Jesus “champion” and the one who perfects our faith. Earlier in this letter the readers were reminded that Jesus experienced everything they were going through and understands their weaknesses. But Jesus is our champion because he withstood temptation and suffering but remained sinless. Jesus is not only a champion, a hero, he also champions us as we suffer the consequences of living in a broken world.
APPLY:
Looking at the world around us and comparing our circumstances with those of others can misinform us and cause us to draw wrong conclusions about what we are experiencing. When we look to the cross and our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded and encouraged that there is life beyond this world. In II Corinthians 10:4, Paul tells us that the battles we fight require weapons “not of this world.” He goes on to mention taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ. When your circumstances are getting you down, look to Jesus for encouragement.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, help me see my circumstances in the context of your eternal plan. Keep me from looking around me to what others are doing and experiencing. Keep me from the traps of resentment and hopelessness. Strengthen me as I seek to look to Jesus for my example.