Look Unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Faith

"1Wherefore 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, 2Looking 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." (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

It's about believing in Jesus, and seeing Him only as our source, our life, and everything else.

If we are looking at our troubles, then we are making them greater than Jesus.

And that is not faith:

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

It is nonsensical, unthinkable that we look at our troubles and our times, as though God is not greater, able to overcome all those setbacks we face in our lives:

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)

and then

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37)

However, it's really hard to show God that we will really trust Him if everything is just fine, and then we can rest on our own resources get us through the harder times.

Pastor Brian Houston was sharing how these tough times are actually great times, because they "force" us in a way to trust Him completely.

We cannot look to our own resources if we do not have any.

We have to open our eyes and see that He who is with us is greater than the opposition that is against us:

"16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." (2 Kings 6:16-17)

and

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Do we really believe that? Can you see His resources pulling through for you, when you see that you have nothing to help you?

Do you see Him who has been from the beginning, or are you still looking at what you have?

Will you trust in God's favor, or do you insist on trusting your own fervor?

For me, I want to see and receive more of God's favor!

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." (Psalm 63:3)

His Chesed Grace is far more important than our lives, because we cannot have life without His grace!

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10)