#697 Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times Part 2
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE him endured the cross, despising (to disesteem) the shame…” Hebrews 12:1-2 “We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence (mighty encouragement) as we hold onto (seize) THE HOPE SET BEFORE us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls…” Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT
It is interesting to note that “the hope SET BEFORE” us is the same phrase in the Greek as “the joy SET BEFORE” him in Hebrews 12:2, and that both the hope and the joy include a similar focus and make it possible to run the race SET BEFORE us faithfully and both provide spiritual stability. The hope set before us is a stabilizing anchor for our souls, and helps prevent being swept away from “this one thing I do” (Philippians 3:13-14) by the tide and pressure of the world. The joy set before us makes it possible to put the trials and testings and challenge of being faithful to the Lord’s will, whatever He may require of us, in perspective. This hope and joy strengthens us to endure whatever Cup He pours and whatever He sees fit to permit.
May we “despise the shame”—make the shame or difficulty ‘a little thing.’
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce in us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT
Lord, sanctify our expectations, and sanctify our all that we value and treasure that gives us joy.
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE him endured the cross, despising (to disesteem) the shame…” Hebrews 12:1-2 “We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence (mighty encouragement) as we hold onto (seize) THE HOPE SET BEFORE us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls…” Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT
It is interesting to note that “the hope SET BEFORE” us is the same phrase in the Greek as “the joy SET BEFORE” him in Hebrews 12:2, and that both the hope and the joy include a similar focus and make it possible to run the race SET BEFORE us faithfully and both provide spiritual stability. The hope set before us is a stabilizing anchor for our souls, and helps prevent being swept away from “this one thing I do” (Philippians 3:13-14) by the tide and pressure of the world. The joy set before us makes it possible to put the trials and testings and challenge of being faithful to the Lord’s will, whatever He may require of us, in perspective. This hope and joy strengthens us to endure whatever Cup He pours and whatever He sees fit to permit.
May we “despise the shame”—make the shame or difficulty ‘a little thing.’
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce in us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT
Lord, sanctify our expectations, and sanctify our all that we value and treasure that gives us joy.
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