"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." — Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL
The writer of Hebrews gives us one of the most practical instructions in all of Scripture for running the race of faith: look unto Jesus. Not to your track record. Not to the distance remaining. Not to the obstacles ahead. Look to Jesus — the Author and Finisher of faith. He is the Author because He originated your faith, writing it into your heart through the Word and the Spirit. He is the Finisher because what He begins, He completes. Your faith did not originate with you, and its completion does not depend on you. It depends on Him.
The model Jesus gives us is both sobering and strengthening. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him — meaning He sustained His suffering by looking past it to the outcome. He did not deny the weight of the cross; He carried it. But He carried it with His eyes fixed on what was on the other side. In the same way, you are invited to endure the difficulties of your journey by fixing your eyes on Jesus — the One who not only survived His own suffering but emerged from it triumphant and seated in glory.
Call on Jesus today as the Author and Finisher of your faith. If your faith feels weak, tattered, or nearly extinguished, bring it back to the One who authored it. You cannot maintain your own faith — but Jesus can maintain it for you. He will complete what He began in you. The race you are running has a finish line, and the Author of your faith is also waiting at that line as the Finisher. Look to Him, run with endurance, and trust that He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion.
