Day 34: The Joy of Hope

Oh

this life called a race

that we are running in the here & now

that we are told to~

"let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us".

With PERSEVERANCE~

"It is a determination, unhurrying and yet undelaying,

which goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected.” (Barclay)

With STEADFAST ENDURANCE~

"the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary" (Logos) .

The same

PERSEVERANCE~

JESUS had as

HE entered into Jerusalem the last week of His Life,

that began

HOLY WEEK.

It was the best of times, and the worst of times.

What if JESUS rushed to the cross?

What if HE raced right from the cradle to the cross

with nothing in-between~

No walking on water.

No healing the brokenhearted.

No temptation in the desert.

No rejection.

No __________.

But JESUS

took

HIS time

as

HE walked this earth

with

PERSEVERANCE

so HE could

walk this last week of

His life

with

STEADFAST ENDURANCE~

showing us how it is done,

with

HIS eyes fixed on the finish line~

Not the Cross but on

"The JOY set before Him "(Hebrews 12:2)~

THE JOY

that put HIM on the cross.

THE JOY

that was to happen after the cross.

THE JOY

as HE felt every nail that the soldiers didn't even rush to drive into HIM.

THE JOY

as HE cried out in pain to HIS FATHER.

THE JOY

that HE didn't rush through

as

HE waited three days

before

HE rose.~

All for

THE JOY

as

"HE endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2)~

STEADFAST ENDURANCE~

so that we can

Patiently Endure

as we walk from our the cradle to our cross.

Our Cross~

where we get to nail whatever is hindering, and weighing us down~

"let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." (Hebrews 12:1)

Oh the hindrances of today~

Despair

Fear

Anxiety

Helplessness

that are so very real

because what we are all experiencing is so very real.

Oh the helplessness of JESUS

as HE PERSEVERED

through the scourging

through the nailing

All for the JOY beyond the cross

beyond the grave

All for the JOY that is ours despite the

Despair

Fear

Anxiety

Helplessness

All for the JOY

HE ENDURED the cross~

BLESSED ENDURANCE~

"to face and withstand with courage" (Logos)

In the midst of the waiting for

"when will this all be over"

1. Oh PERSEVERANCE

Oh STEADFAST ENDURANCE

all for THE JOY~

"Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him];

again I will say, rejoice!

 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience]

be known to all people..." *

Only because

"The Lord is near.

 Do not be anxious or worried about anything,

but everything [every circumstance and situation]

by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests

known to God."*

Oh THE JOY in the midst~

 "And the peace of GOD [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace]

which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands

guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours] *(Philippians 4:4-7 AMP)

Oh run into HIS ARMS

all for the

"JOY" (listen to the song below)