Scripture
We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus, who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith's perfection. His example is this: Because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be His, He endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! -Hebrews 2:12
"I've waited for us to be in this place together." Those sweet words were spoken to me last summer by Christ. At the moment, I thought that He meant from the time I first had a vision of walking with Him in a pasture. Years ago, when true fellowship with God had just begun, and there was still so much to learn about Him, I had what I understand now was a vision. I saw myself walking with someone in a beautiful pasture, but I didn't know who it was. Years later, I realized it was Jesus. Last summer, He brought that vision back to my remembrance, for it was a foreshadowing of my communion with Him. That is when He told me that He waited for me. I still assumed that He was waiting since the day I had that vision until then, but what Jesus was actually saying was that He was waiting for us to walk intimately together before the foundation of the world. He had been waiting for me!
Jesus endured the agony of the cross because He knew that one day we would belong to Him. He knew that we'd be partakers of this intimate fellowship with Him. Therefore, He waited. It was all worth it for Him, leaving heaven's glory with His Father and the angelic hosts to be reunited with us. He desired us to the point of laying down His life for the joy of having our hearts knitted to His. Therefore, Beloved, our focus should be on Him. We look away from the distractions of this world, the world's systems, and all that it brings to Jesus, who is the perfecter and finisher of our faith. It is because of His death and resurrection that we even first believe, but it is also because of Him that we are brought to maturity and perfection. He is our example of faith.
Do you understand that because of God's work of providence, the Old Testament foreshadowed and announced the Messiah's coming? He became the atoning sacrifice for our sin through death, He was raised, and resurrected. The life you and I live now is because of HIS faith. Which is why Jesus is the example, the leader, and the source of our faith. Why do you gaze at your problems, Beloved? Why do you lament when you find yourself in various trials? The answer is sure, look to Jesus. It is His faith you rely on in the midst of troubles. Why do you work so hard when it's already done? God has already laid the path before you. All you need to do is walk with the perfecter and keep your eyes on Him.
Prayer
Father, thank you for sending Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Help us to fix our eyes on Him, even when we are surrounded by distractions and difficulties. Grant us the strength and perseverance to run the race of faith you have set before us, remembering the joy He endured the cross for. Help us to be more like Him, day by day. In Jesus' name, Amen
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