For the Joy Set Before Him!

The Lord is ALIVE!  My Savior LIVES!  I am so thankful for His patient work in me.  I have not been walking in these truths much the past few days.  Unfortunately I succumb to self pity far too easily.  I am so thankful that God sent Jesus; that Jesus did not succumb to self pity, but rather endured the cross!  And is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I have been thinking a lot about Hebrews Chapter 12, the first three verses:

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

How wonderfully amazing.  Jesus had joy set before Him.  He could see past the torture, humiliation, ridicule and death to the glory of God the Father.  This truth encourages me to set the joy of walking in the Spirit on this earth, the joy of knowing God more fully through His Word, the joy of one day being like Jesus and with the Father forever in heaven, before me.  With these kinds of promises how can I grow weary and lose heart?

Happy Resurrection Day!

Fixing my eyes on Jesus,

~Beth