June 28

Morning

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Heb 12:2 BSB

It is always the work of the Holy Spirit to turn our eyes away from ourselves and toward Jesus. But Satan’s goal is the opposite—to make us focus on ourselves instead of Christ. He whispers, "Your sins are too great to be forgiven; your faith is too weak; you don’t repent enough; you won’t be able to endure to the end; you don’t have the joy of the Lord’s children; your hold on Jesus is too uncertain." All these thoughts are self-focused, and we will never find peace or assurance by looking inward.

The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, directs our gaze entirely away from ourselves and points us to Christ. He reminds us that we are nothing and that Christ is everything. Remember, it is not your grasp of Christ that saves you—it is Christ. It is not your joy in Christ that saves you—it is Christ. It is not even your faith in Christ that saves you, though faith is the means—it is Christ’s blood and merits that save you. Therefore, do not focus on how tightly you are holding Christ but rather on Christ Himself. Don’t look to your hope—look to Jesus, the source of your hope. Don’t look to your faith—look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. You will never find rest by examining your prayers, your deeds, or your feelings. Rest comes from looking at Jesus—who He is and what He has done.

If we want to overcome Satan and find peace with God, we must look to Jesus. Keep your eyes fixed on Him—His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession. When you wake in the morning, look to Him; when you lie down at night, look to Him. Don’t let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus. Follow hard after Him, and He will never fail you.

“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.”

Evening

Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs. — Exod 7:12 BSB

This story is a powerful illustration of how God’s work will always triumph over opposition. When a divine principle is planted in someone’s heart, though the devil may send countless enemies to oppose it, God’s work will prevail. If God’s grace takes hold of a person, the world may send all its distractions and temptations, but just as Aaron’s rod swallowed the other serpents, so will God’s grace swallow all its foes.

The beauty of the cross will capture the heart of a person once enslaved to the world. Once grace wins the heart, the man who once lived only for earthly things will now seek the things above. When God’s grace takes root, the once worldly man becomes a citizen of heaven.

This truth also applies to the life of a believer. Think of the many enemies your faith has faced! The devil has thrown down your old sins before you like a swarm of serpents. But the cross of Jesus has crushed them all. Faith in Christ quickly deals with all our sins. Then, when Satan sends another host of enemies—trials, temptations, and doubts—faith in Jesus overcomes them all.

The same victorious principle holds true for the service of God. When you are filled with love for Jesus, difficulties are overcome, sacrifices become joys, and suffering is seen as an honor. If this kind of passion for Christ burns in your heart, then your religion is genuine. But if your faith doesn’t stand up to this test, it is not the real thing. Examine yourself, dear reader. Has your faith been proven true like Aaron’s rod? If Christ is anything to you, He must be everything to you. Don’t rest until love for Christ and faith in Him rule every part of your soul!