Come Out On the Victory Side!

Daily Reading: Hebrews 12

Scripture Focus: Consider him who endured ... so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12.3)

Devotional Thought: In the late 20th century, Nelson Mandela served 27 years in three different prisons - the reward he got for his efforts to eliminate apartheid in South Africa. Upon his release, he was elected president of South Africa. Those on the left and on the right have found cause to criticize Mandela, but it is impossible to deny that he brought opportunity and hope to a vast number of people. One of the things Mandela used to say was, "It always seems impossible until it's done." I suppose that he felt that way as he endured those years in prison.

Five years ago, my friend Vicky was treated for cancer. At the time, her oncologist told her that if she survived five years without the cancer recurring, she had a good chance of living out her normal lifespan. We recently celebrated that milestone. While no one is guaranteed even tomorrow, the journey that once seemed impossible is done. Throughout these last five years, Vicky has testified that she was leaning on God. In our conversations, we have often thought of the power of the present Savior. And even though we didn't know the outcome, we knew the faithfulness of God.

Others have endured even in the midst of loss. They have held onto the love of God even though they have gone through the valley of the shadow of death.

Are you in the midst of something that seems impossible? Consider Jesus. He endured so much for you. He came out on the victory side of death, the resurrection side. May you not grow weary or be fainthearted.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring the cross for me. Thank you that you came forth from the grave as a Conqueror! Help me - in the light of your resurrection glory - to not grow weary or fainthearted. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. 2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. 5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah 6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, 7 "See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!" 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. (Psalms 52:1-9)