Devotion

LOOK TO JESUS

"Wherefore," or because we have such an array of witnesses, shown in Hebrews 11, we can see how the Saints in the past have walked by faith. Using them as examples, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

Our life as a Christian is described here as a race. In a race there is a need to put off anything that would tend to slow us down. He lists two things in this passage that would tend to encumber or slow our progress as we run this race. First, every weight, the cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22) must be turned loose (Matthew 11: 28-30).

The second thing we find is the sin which so easily besets us or slows us down. "If we say that we (as Christians) have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1: 8). But, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1: 9). Only when we have done these things are we able to successfully run the race, unencumbered.

While we may, and should, look to the Saints of old for examples in our own walk of faith, it is Jesus to whom we must look as our main example. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Paul gives us some insight into the life of Jesus, and with it some good advice for us to follow.

He (Jesus) looked ahead to the joy that was in the future, enabling him to endure the cross, despise the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12: 2).

Here is the best example for us as we live our lives undergoing trials and tribulations. We are told in Acts 14: 22, that in order to enter the kingdom of God, we must go through much tribulation. While we are going through these tribulations, we need to do as Jesus did.

We need to look ahead to the joy that is in front or ahead of us! Look above the circumstances of this life! Look to Jesus! Consider Him! (Hebrews 12:3). In so doing, we can lose the weariness and faintness of our minds.

We should also glory in our tribulations, be thankful for them, because it is tribulations which worketh, or gives us patience (Romans 5: 3). This is the same patience that is necessary for us to run the race (Hebrews 12:1).

 

God disciplines His children because He loves them (Hebrews 12:6). This act of God, in dealing with His children, is for our own profit that we might be partakers of His Holiness (Hebrews 12:10). It is also proof of our relationship with Him (Hebrews 12:7-8). Even though we go through periods where there is no chastening and it seems to be joyous (Hebrews 12:10), the chastisement by the Lord actually yields the fruits of righteousness.

Because of all these we are encouraged to lift up our hands and our feeble knees and make straight paths for our feet (Hebrews 12:13), following peace with all men, which is imperative, because without this no man shall see the Lord (12:14).

Lest we fail in the grace of God, we must look diligently because bitterness might spring up troubling and ultimately many may be defiled (Verse 15). This shows that we need to strive to maintain a good relationship with our fellow man, especially Christians, lest bitterness arises, defiling many.

This brings up the thought that James warned about in James 3:5- 8, where he warns about the dreadful power of the tongue. How often is someone’s life wrecked or at the very least bitterness between church members arises, simply because of what someone said? "Out of the mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing . . . . " (James 3:10).

Envying and strife is the cause for confusion and every evil work. These do not descend from above (l Corinthians 14: 33). On the other hand the wisdom that comes from above is pure, peaceable, and gentle. It is full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. These fruits of righteousness are sown in peace of them that make peace (James 3:16-18).

Please note that the thoughts of Hebrews 12:14, concerning following peace with all man, immediately follow the passage concerning the discipline of God of His children. Does it not then make sense to believe that the tongue is one of the reasons God has to chastise His children?

Hebrews 12: 6, shows us that " . . . . the Lord scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." The sea of life will not always be calm. Sooner or later, this portion of scripture will apply to each of us and we need to be aware of it. It appears, both from scripture and from observation, that God deals with the younger Christians very little and very lightly when applying the rod.

It is enlightening to note that scripture does not record any instances of young Christians, or children of God, disgracing their profession. Study the younger Joseph, the Hebrew maid in Naaman’s home, David as a young shepherd, Daniel in his early days along with his three companions. These all gave a good account of themselves, while in their youth.

On the other hand, we find David falling into sin when he was much older. Noah walked with God, built the ark, endured the flood, then, at a much greater age, disgraced himself. Moses also committed his greatest sin at the end of the wilderness journey. This should show us that there is no protection in years. The aged have as many temptations as do the young Christians.

For one thing they are tempted to live in the past instead of looking to the future. They are tempted to "take it easy" in spiritual manners.

Paul recognized this in the Galatians, who had veered off the course of faith and liberty in Christ. Paul chastised them with the words, "ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5: 7)

The Amplified Version states it this way. "You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered (hindered and stopped you) from heeding and following the truth?"

The race does not end until the Lord returns for us, or until we go to be with Him through death.

"Be not weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not" (Galatians 6: 9). This scripture, along with others that we have looked at in this study shows us that there is a distinct possibility of our becoming weary. In our advancing age we may succumb more easily to this.

It is important that we keep our eyes on Jesus, for in so doing we will not grow weary. Our wings of faith have more need to be recharged. Isaiah 4: 39 - 40 states,

"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

There is an interesting verse of scripture (Psalms 103: 5) in regards to an eagle. This passage reads in part, ". . . . so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle,"

To understand this more readily, it is necessary to have some knowledge of the eagle. In studying concerning them, we learn that an eagle is a fairly large bird that soars through the air with apparent ease. They also live a long life, evidenced by the fact that many actually live well past one hundred years of age. By further study we find that their youth is renewed by a new crop of feathers, or a renewal of their wings.

This is what some middle - aged and elderly Christians need. A rejuvenation of their spiritual wings. A return to their first love (Revelation 2: 4). They also need to claim the promise of Isaiah 40: 39 - 40, quoted above. They need to return to the spiritual wings of hope, faith, zeal and devotion to Christ. In so doing they can set examples for the younger Christians.

I have seen many examples of this. On one occasion, a lady in her middle sixties, who after becoming a widow, traveled from Tennessee to Michigan, spending two years there as a volunteer home missionary.

On another occasion, while living in North Carolina, I knew a retired minister who had served most of his life on the foreign mission field, who worked two to three days a week as a substitute professor in a Bible Institute. While engaged in this he also worked with small groups of the younger students there, forming singing groups, and performed with them during Chapel services at the school.

He also traveled 30 miles twice a week to a university, taking night classes to further his education. He continued in all of these activities right up to the actual date of his death, going to be with the Lord at the end of 82 years of life here on earth.

These, along with many others, understood the meaning of "The night cometh when no man can work" (John 9: 4).

Only our imagination can limit the things one can do in serving God, as our age advances. One need that almost every one, regardless of age or physical condition, can fill is that of prayer. Romans 1: 9 and Luke 2: 37-38, reveal that prayer is a service to God.

Join, or start a prayer group outside the normal weekly church prayer meetings. Individually, especially for those who might be physically impaired, one could ask their pastor to give them special projects or concerns where prayer is needed, then spend quality time, daily, in prayer for these.

 

The apostle Paul now relates the story of Esau, who sold his birthright and found no place for repentance. He then shows us the blessed promises in Verses 17-24. We are not come to a mount that can be touched, using the experience of Moses as an example. He goes on to state,

"But ye are come unto Mount Sion, unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels. To the general assembly and the church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect." (Verses 25-28).

After this remarkable promise, he encourages us to obey him that speaketh, and let us have grace that we may serve God acceptable with reverence and fear (Verses 25-28).