19 Oct 2020
The covid-19 virus infection is spreading, wave after wave, throughout the world, bringing about morbidity, death and untold suffering; recession hits almost every shore; poverty,hunger set in, in many contexts, leading more to fear of hunger rather than fear of the virus. Little assurance is given by those in governance in many countries when the statistics seem to contradict the ? optimistic feedback by some in authority. In such circumstances, where can we look for confidence to carry on and to keep hope alive
The life of Christian endurance and confidence is lived by fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). We are to learn to look away from everything else and concentrate on our object of attention. To fix our eyes on Jesus is to gaze steadily at Him and to know beyond all doubts that Jesus is our sustainer, our strength to action, our sovereign grace giver (Heb. 218;416), the “author and perfecter of our faith (Heb.12:2). Faith implies knowing, trusting, hoping and stubbornly persisting in trustful hope against all odds. Faith can do this because the One who has graciously brought us to faith and in whom we trust is the very One who helps ;us to do it.
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6). “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:6).
The One who helps us is the glorified Lord Jesus; He helps us to stand steady as we gaze on Him and cling to Him. He has everything and every being under His feet; He sits at the right hand of the Father, ruling, interceding for us, advocating for us against every accusation from the devil (who uses men and women of questionable character for his purpose). In Him, we are forgiven, justified, made ‘righteous’ and we can be confident that he would glorify us if we persist in endurance and perseverance, not wavering from keeping our gaze and attention on Him. He truly would satisfy and sanctify us throughout all the circumstances and struggles which threaten to ‘destroy’ us. In Him, we are completely secure. Thanks be to God!