Looking Towards Heaven in 2011 – It Is Set Before Us

Many people are looking at the date December 21, 2012 for a time where great change will come. This is based of the ancient Mayan calendar ending on that date. There is actually a website titled “Survive 2012”.

Great predictions have been made of what is to come with the admittance that no one really knows.

Those who place their hope in the GOP are looking to November 6, 2012 as the day that we can reclaim the White House and gain more seats in Congress. They do so with no real strong candidate that fits the “conservative” mold.

We have Mike Huckabee who is a little too populist for some.

We have Newt Gingrich who is a twice-adulterer, political hack who shilled for the GOP in supporting the leftist Dede Scozzafava in New York.

We have Sarah Palin who many do not trust with the presidency because she quit her governor’s job in Alaska. Others do not believe she is fit for the job.

And of course there is Mitt Romney, the serial liar and bribe artist who brought his rendition of ObamaCare and the cheapest co-pay government sponsored abortions in America; a healthcare system that is ruining Massachusetts and is a portend to what ObamaCare will bring.

Regardless of what most people are looking to in 2012 they are looking in the wrong direction and too far into the future. Beloved, I am looking towards tomorrow, literally, while concentrating on today. Regardless where I cast my eyes, I am looking towards heaven in 2011. The writer of Hebrews exhorts us:

    “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Surrounded by what great cloud of witnesses? The Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11. Go back and read that chapter again and notice one thing in particular, found in verse 13:

    “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

Are you at the point in your relationship with Jesus Christ that you not only see and embrace promises from a distance, but also admit that you are a stranger and pilgrim on earth? Wait! Don’t answer yet…for I doubt you truly understand it.

What are the promises? They are truly too many to list, but to name just a few:

God promised to save Noah and his family and to never again destroy the earth by flood.

God promised Abraham that he would become a great nation.

And God promised Israel a new covenant that would come through Messiah.

All these promises God kept and none listed in the Old Testament saw this happen.

Jesus has promised us that if we will follow Him we will never again walk in darkness:

    “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)

Jesus has promised us that if we rely on Him then He will provide us comfort and support:

    “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Jesus has promised us that He will meet all our needs:

    “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:31-34)

So what is it in us that has us looking towards Washington for the answers to the questions that plague America? It’s not what is in us, it is us. Some simple truths I’ve learned over the years are that we do what we are and we say that which is in our hearts.

We look to Washington to fix the problems of our nation because we don’t want to.

We are civically and politically lazy because we are spiritually lazy.

And we are spiritually lazy because we do not want to have to persevere like our Lord.

We do not want to have to run the race and we do not want to let go of the sin we hold so dear.

We think we have to go through so much and we forget what our Jesus endured.

Our old friend Matthew Henry said this about Hebrews 12:1-3:

    The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for while a man’s darling sin, be it what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement. When weary and faint in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered, to save them from eternal misery. By steadfastly looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen holy affections, and keep under their carnal desires. Let us then frequently consider him.

So Bro Dave, if 2012 is not the answer and 2011 is, what should we do? What has to happen in 2011 if there is hope for America? One word:

Revival…

More on that tomorrow.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2010 David Jeffers

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