We [throw off the things that entangle us] by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:2, NLT)
With the growth of spring, many golf courses go through the aerification process on the greens and fairways. It’s hard to be patient waiting for the greens to heal from the large holes filled and covered with sand, but if you speak to a golf superintendent, aerification is a must for great conditions throughout the spring and summer. During this time, I’m glad I’m no purist; the two-putt maximum works for me!
Giving ourselves an easy out when it comes to golf is no big deal. In life, though, we can’t always beat a path around trouble. We have to face it. And this is especially true when the trouble comes from within.
In life, though, we can’t always beat a path around trouble. We have to face it.The writer of Hebrews recognized that sin “so easily entangles” us. It presents itself as an attractive alternative to the way of the Lord, especially when that way looks inconvenient or unpleasant. And let’s face it—God may give us a thorn in the side as he did with Paul. Who wouldn’t take the easy way out when that sharp thorn is piercing our flesh?
But Jesus gives us the ultimate example. Faced with the cross, our Savior could have considered a different plan. Remember, he asked for another way with all his might on his knees in Gethsemane!
So the hand that wrote Hebrews pointed us to Jesus. Emerging from a list of faithful people who endured all kinds of hardship, the writer was now saying, “Your turn. Time for you to endure. As these people of faith did. As Jesus did.”
The way we do this comes when we read these words in chapter 12 carefully. There we find that joy waits on the other side. Jesus endured such gruesome hardship because joy waited for him. He was placed on the seat of honor. And we can endure the “light and temporary afflictions” that come our way when we too remember that we have a place with Christ in eternity. Great joy awaits us!
Maybe you will have to take to your knees like Jesus to last through the dark night. Maybe you’ll cry tears for days on end. Maybe your worst nightmare will be realized in your waking hours. With all the promises of God, we don’t want people to tell us that Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation.” But such trouble, including our sin, is only a matter of this world, not the next. There we will have joy. And when we remember that and hold to it as strongly as we can, we will endure.
—
Dereck Wong
April 9, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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