“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NKJV)
“I am your peace and strength. It is I who gives meaning to your life, and purpose to your day. There are many distractions around you, and each thing has the potential to hinder you in your life and walk with Me. But you will have victory if you keep your eyes on Me. I am the Author and Finisher of your faith, the beginning and the maturing of it. I am with you, I am in you, and I always will be. I am your everlasting Counsel and your deepest peace.”
Dear friend, Jesus gave Himself to the cross, despite its humiliation and its shame, so that we would not have to go through the torment and fear that many people are experiencing today. There is so much confusion and anxiety out in the world, and it feels like everything is rigged to pull our eyes away from Jesus and the Truth of the Word. But these are some of the reasons why He gave His life – that we might know victory in every situation, however stressful and challenging. He saw the joy of His finished work when He took upon His own body enmity (Ephesians 2:16), infirmity, (Isaiah 53:5) death (Hebrews 2:14), and everything else that could assail us and cause us to stumble and fall. Jesus paid the final price. He truly finished the fight when He gave up His life, and then took His throne! The victory was won, and the battle ended in the heavenly realms when His blood flowed over two thousand years ago! Every time we choose Jesus and His way, (the way of the cross), we taste of His victory again. Every time we say “no” to the call of the world and to being consumed by current affairs and all the emotions that arise, we say “yes” to the power of the cross and the Blood, and the “Yes” and “Amen” that Jesus made possible for us.
We can take heart knowing that there is nothing happening in the world today which is a surprise to God. There is nothing taking place that has not happened before. There is a great cloud of witnesses who walked this path before us and stayed true to the One who shed His blood, and these saints are cheering the sons and daughters of God onwards. There is a very special joy set before us, as we wake up each day and choose to turn our eyes to Jesus and let Him fill our gaze. He has begun a work in you and in me which is maturing and deepening each time we come to Him with an open heart and unveiled face. He really is the Author and Finisher of our faith, and He began to write this faith story the day we placed our hearts in His hands. As we look upon His beauty each day, we are transformed into His likeness, and made daily closer to the mirror image of who He is (2 Corinthians 3:18). We can truly begin to say “As He is, so are we in this world”!(1 John 4:17).
Friends, through all the attention-consuming situations around us, there is much that could “ensnare” us, and drag us away from our chosen path in Jesus. During the past few months, I began to follow the events happening around America and the world, and reading news reports with images, and I found myself doing this more intensely every day. After some weeks, I realized (from time to time) that I was experiencing the same sense of “out of control”, confusion, and fear which is possibly what most of the world is feeling in the midst of the many current events. What I was focusing on was being reflected in my own heart! I had allowed the events around me to become bigger in my mind than my beautiful Lord who already paid the price for total freedom, peace and victory through the shedding of His powerful blood. He already provided all the answers that any nation or person could need! Each time I focus on something or someone other than my Lord, I am allowing it space in my mind, and authority to influence how I think and feel. It is possible to educate ourselves and become aware of things going on, without getting caught up in all the offense, anger and hopelessness which are a reality in our world today. This could really be a snare! The Holy Spirit is reminding us today that Jesus is our peace. It is He who gifts us with the faith we need to stand firm and overcome, to stay on the track and walk towards the prize He already won on our behalf. Everything in our lives, and the supernatural power of faith we need are all found in the One who loves us and gave His life for us. Jesus is the beginning and growth of our faith. In Him we can move a mountain, and make the impossible possible!
Hear the wooing of the Holy Spirit as He says to us “Rise up My love, My fair one, and come away with Me.” (Song of Songs 4:10). It is an invitation to fall in love with the One who loved me first; the One whose eyes look deep into my soul and set my heart on fire! I choose this love today. I choose Jesus. I choose to set my eyes firmly on Him, and push off every snare and hindrance, and whatever draws me away from His love. “Jesus I declare your Lordship over every part of my life. You are my King and the One I love and trust. You are My Prince of deepest peace!”
Minoli Haththotuwa, 7 August 2020
