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Daily Devotion: Hebrews 12:1-2

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Hebrews 12:1-2    "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

God rest ye merry gentlemen Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Sometimes the path to joy takes us through dark places where dangers lurk in the shadows. David wrote, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4) The entire 11th Chapter of Hebrews is filled with "so great a cloud of witnesses" who stayed the course while relying on their faith to follow the path laid out for them. Their view of life was not always from the mountaintop; rather, they all walked through valleys of tribulation and trials. It is in those dark places that we must intensify our attention upon Jesus.  He gave us the greatest example of where to focus our hearts and minds. If we look closely at today's verse 2, we can see that the  focus of Jesus was upon "the throne of God." He spent much time in prayer unto the Father. Even on the cross, some of His last words were given to place Himself in the Father's hands. See Luke 23:46. In order for us to experience the joy of the Lord, we must also maintain our heart's focus upon the very throne of God where our Saviour now sits to make intercession for us. I can't tell you how to manufacture joy. In fact, Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit; therefore, only the Holy Spirit can manufacture joy within us. But we have been told that we can experience true righteousness, peace, and joy by being obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I finish today with the message given by the angel to the shepherds that dark and lonely night. "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

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