Never Give Up

In review of Hebrews 12:2, it says, “We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne!”

Bottom Line:

Fix your eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross and it’s shame. Now He sits at the Father’s right hand.

What this means to me:

As my example I can look to Jesus, who leads me and makes my faith complete. He endured all kinds of shame in being nailed to a cross, because he know what laid ahead and what his actions would do for all mankind. Now he is seated at God’s right.

We are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith. Therefore, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. I can do this by keeping my eyes on Jesus, my champion who initiates and perfect my faith. He did so because of the joy He saw awaiting him and endured the cross and the shame associated with it. Now he sits on God's right hand side. So I shouldn’t forget the encouraging words God spoke, to not make light of His discipline, and not give up when He corrects me. For the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.

Also, I do not struggle alone, and I am not the first to struggle with the problems I face. Others have run the race and won, and their witness stirs us to run and win also. I need to give up whatever endangers my relationship with God. To live effectively, I must keep my eyes on Jesus. I will stumble if I look away from him to stare at myself or at the circumstances. I need to be running for Christ, not myself, and I must always keep him in sight.

When hardship and discouragement come, it's easy to lose sight of the big picture. But I'm not alone; there is help. Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than what I'm experiencing. Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity. It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet.

I’m reminded this morning that it was the priceless value of my eternal soul that drove Jesus to endure the cross. To Jesus, I am a priceless treasure. No one else will love me like God does. So when life becomes difficult and the pain is choking out every positive reminder of the blessings in my life, meditate on this: “God loved me enough to send His one and only Sun to die in my place.”