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"
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)
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