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1 year ago
Discovering Unwavering Faith: Enduring for the Joy Set Before Us
Looking at Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2).
Have you ever wondered what it takes to have unwavering faith? The kind of faith that can endure even the most difficult and challenging circumstances? The story of a group of prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II can shed some light on this topic.
In Ernest Gordon's book, Miracle on the River Kwai, he recounts the true story of a group of POWs working on the infamous Burma Railway. Every day, after their work was done, the tools were collected from the workers. On one occasion, a Japanese guard noticed that a shovel was missing and immediately demanded to know who took it. He became enraged, convinced that one of the prisoners was guilty. He shouted and threatened, declaring that all would die if the guilty person did not step forward. But no one moved. In a fit of rage, the guard raised his rifle and mercilessly beat one of the prisoners to death. However, when the tools were counted again, it was discovered that no shovel was actually missing.
What could possibly motivate someone to step forward and face death willingly, even when they were innocent? The answer lies in the joy that was set before them. Just like Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before him, these prisoners were sustained by the hope of a glorious future blessing and joy.
This story provides us with a profound lesson about faith and obedience. It teaches us that true faith is not always easy. It often requires us to make sacrifices and endure hardships. But what sustains us in our faith is the joy that is set before us. It is the hope of a future blessing that carries us through the most challenging times.
Jesus understood this principle better than anyone. He knew that his obedience and sacrifice would lead to the redemption of humanity and the restoration of our relationship with God. He looked beyond the immediate pain and suffering and focused on the joy that awaited him. It was this joy that enabled him to endure the cross and fulfill God's plan of salvation.
In Luke 14:14, Jesus tells his disciples that they will be blessed for their costly obedience because they will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. He encourages them to find strength and hope in the future joy that awaits them. Similarly, the apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:21 that Jesus left us an example to follow in his suffering. He entrusted himself to God and did not seek retaliation. Instead, he placed his hope in the resurrection and the joy of being reunited with his Father.
As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate his example. We are called to find our strength and motivation in the joy that is set before us. This means trusting in God's promises and looking beyond our present circumstances. It means believing that our obedience and sacrifice will be rewarded in the future.
But how can we cultivate this kind of faith? How can we keep our eyes fixed on the joy that is set before us? The answer lies in having a deep and intimate relationship with God. It is through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers that we can strengthen our faith and keep our focus on the eternal joy that awaits us.
The Bible is filled with references to the future joy that is set before us. In Romans 8:18, the apostle Paul writes, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Paul understood that the temporary sufferings of this world pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits us in Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul further encourages us by saying, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." Paul reminds us that our present sufferings are temporary, but the future glory that awaits us is eternal.
The book of Revelation also provides us with a glimpse of the future joy that is set before us. In Revelation 21:4, we read, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." This verse assures us that in the new heaven and new earth, all our sorrows and pains will be wiped away, and we will experience eternal joy in the presence of God.
So, my friend, as you face the challenges and difficulties of life, remember to keep your eyes fixed on the joy that is set before you. Trust in God's promises and find strength in the hope of a future blessing. Just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him, let us be willing to make sacrifices and endure hardships for the sake of our faith. And may we always remember that our present sufferings are temporary, but the future joy that awaits us is eternal.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to have unwavering faith? The kind of faith that can endure even the most difficult and challenging circumstances? The story of a group of prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II can shed some light on this topic.
In Ernest Gordon's book, Miracle on the River Kwai, he recounts the true story of a group of POWs working on the infamous Burma Railway. Every day, after their work was done, the tools were collected from the workers. On one occasion, a Japanese guard noticed that a shovel was missing and immediately demanded to know who took it. He became enraged, convinced that one of the prisoners was guilty. He shouted and threatened, declaring that all would die if the guilty person did not step forward. But no one moved. In a fit of rage, the guard raised his rifle and mercilessly beat one of the prisoners to death. However, when the tools were counted again, it was discovered that no shovel was actually missing.
What could possibly motivate someone to step forward and face death willingly, even when they were innocent? The answer lies in the joy that was set before them. Just like Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before him, these prisoners were sustained by the hope of a glorious future blessing and joy.
This story provides us with a profound lesson about faith and obedience. It teaches us that true faith is not always easy. It often requires us to make sacrifices and endure hardships. But what sustains us in our faith is the joy that is set before us. It is the hope of a future blessing that carries us through the most challenging times.
Jesus understood this principle better than anyone. He knew that his obedience and sacrifice would lead to the redemption of humanity and the restoration of our relationship with God. He looked beyond the immediate pain and suffering and focused on the joy that awaited him. It was this joy that enabled him to endure the cross and fulfill God's plan of salvation.
In Luke 14:14, Jesus tells his disciples that they will be blessed for their costly obedience because they will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. He encourages them to find strength and hope in the future joy that awaits them. Similarly, the apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:21 that Jesus left us an example to follow in his suffering. He entrusted himself to God and did not seek retaliation. Instead, he placed his hope in the resurrection and the joy of being reunited with his Father.
As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate his example. We are called to find our strength and motivation in the joy that is set before us. This means trusting in God's promises and looking beyond our present circumstances. It means believing that our obedience and sacrifice will be rewarded in the future.
But how can we cultivate this kind of faith? How can we keep our eyes fixed on the joy that is set before us? The answer lies in having a deep and intimate relationship with God. It is through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers that we can strengthen our faith and keep our focus on the eternal joy that awaits us.
The Bible is filled with references to the future joy that is set before us. In Romans 8:18, the apostle Paul writes, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Paul understood that the temporary sufferings of this world pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits us in Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul further encourages us by saying, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." Paul reminds us that our present sufferings are temporary, but the future glory that awaits us is eternal.
The book of Revelation also provides us with a glimpse of the future joy that is set before us. In Revelation 21:4, we read, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." This verse assures us that in the new heaven and new earth, all our sorrows and pains will be wiped away, and we will experience eternal joy in the presence of God.
So, my friend, as you face the challenges and difficulties of life, remember to keep your eyes fixed on the joy that is set before you. Trust in God's promises and find strength in the hope of a future blessing. Just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him, let us be willing to make sacrifices and endure hardships for the sake of our faith. And may we always remember that our present sufferings are temporary, but the future joy that awaits us is eternal.
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