12/11/2024

Read: Hebrews 12:2 - “...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Reflect: We all desire to have joy. And the motive most of the time, if we’re honest, is that we want to feel good. Joy is a feeling of deep happiness and contentment; who wouldn’t want that 24/7? But have you ever considered joy as a means of endurance? Hebrews says it was “for the joy set before Him” that Jesus endured the physical, mental, and spiritual agony of the cross. He knew He was called to this, He knew there was no other way. But it was as He looked forward to the immense joy of saving His Father’s children, of a final victory over sin and death and Satan, of millions if not billions of lives sanctified for His Father’s glory, that Jesus drew strength for enduring the cross. And if we, His people, look ahead to what waits for us, what do we see? We see an eternity without pain, suffering, or death; we see a close, intimate, face-to-face relationship with God Almighty; we see so many loved ones waiting for us. For me, this future brings great joy. And that joy can do for us what it did for the Lord Jesus -- give us endurance to face the hardships of life.

Respond: As you quiet yourself before the Lord, what are the things you look forward to that bring you joy? Thank God that He has set this future before you. Pray He would give you the endurance to bear the hardships of life (or mention a specific hardship if there is one) through the joy set before you. Praise Him for being the source of your joy!