Looking Unto Jesus

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Dear Readers,
I thought it would be a good time to post my FAVORITE devotional by Charles H. Spurgeon.


June 28th, Morning:

“Looking unto Jesus.” -Hebrews 12:2

It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.

“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness: I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

{End of quote}

The first time I read this devotional, I had just come home from a missions trip to Guatemala. At that time in my life, I was especially struggling at 'looking unto Jesus'. After such an amazing trip and experience which brought me so much closer to Christ, I felt like coming home was going to destroy my relationship with Him because I would have to get back into the hustle and bustle of regular life. It was like home was more of a battlefield because I would have to fight against all of the comfort, temptation, and easy way of life to spend time with God, when in Guatemala, every moment of the week was spent serving God in the lives of others.
    This message of 'looking unto Jesus' helped me shift my eyes away from self and all of the struggles, and focus on the One who loves me and who would gladly help me become 'hupernike' - more than a conqueror - over myself, my sin, and the world! It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever read, and it has been my favorite devotional from that moment forward. May it change and encourage you as much as it has for me... and more!

God bless you all!