Supporters’ Extra: For the Joy Set Before Him
The first extra devotion of the year - just another thank you, firstly, for your support my friends. It's a big year for Shereen and myself. Your support is going to go a long way for us as our family grows.
Hebrews 12 is one of my favourites! Let me read those first few verses again, and this time I'll go right to the end of verse 3: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV)
So, we reflected this week on our call to run this race with perseverance, and we looked at some of W.E. McCumber's ideas about the type of things that weigh us down. I hope that perhaps you have 'thrown off' some of those weights already, as you identified them this week.
Joy as the Motivation for Perseverance
But I want to focus today on the phrase "for the joy set before him he endured the cross". I remember when my Dad was training for a race a few years back, he told me… read or listen to this full devotion on my Patreon page here – for a monthly amount of your choice.
Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, and we too can persevere through life's challenges by keeping that eternal joy in view. Commit this year to making choices that lead to lasting joy rather than temporary pleasure, in light of the reward awaiting faithful servants.