December 4 – For the Joy

“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 (NASB)

Our verse today follows two other very strong verses for a Christian’s life. The admonish us to fix our eyes on Jesus because He is the author and the perfecter of faith. He gives to us that faith and that faith is what saves us. Jesus did all things required in the Law without sin and was killed because of that. Jesus is the supreme example of willingness to suffer in obedience to God. He faced “hostility” and endured even the cruel cross. The same opposition is faced by all who follow Him. These words were written to encourage Christians when they are tempted to give up. Sometimes we may be tempted to think that it is not worth all the trouble involved in following close to the Lord Jesus. Then we should remember that Jesus came to earth to do his Father's will and He encountered a lot of suffering. Believers’ pressures, exhaustion, and persecutions are as nothing compared to Christ’s. He endured it all for us, in order to receive the joy that was set before Him. We too are promised that same joy with Jesus in heaven. Let's fix our eyes on Him today.

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February 14 – No Weariness or Fainting

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”  - Hebrews 12:3  (ESV)

Our ability to choose is one of the most powerful abilities we have.  We make choices over and over every day on what to think and what to give attention to.  We do have a free will, given to us by God when He created man.  Our exercise of that free will determines how successful we are in our walk with God.  He calls us to action, to righteous behavior, and to do what glorifies God.  We encounter challenges each day.  Challenges that come as distractions, disruptions, and hostility against us and our God.  Trials and persecution happen to test our faith and we might be tempted to give up our hope.  Our verse today promises that if we choose to consider Him (Jesus) and how he endured some awful nasty hostility and even death from His enemies, we will have the strength to hold up when we too are the target of such hostility because of our faith.  Let’s keep in mind today how Jesus endures all this for our benefit as He would experience a criminal’s death but then resurrection to new life, also for our benefit. 

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