Daily Grace Devotional September 24, 2024 By Evang. Ubong Ifiok

Looking Unto Jesus

Scripture:
“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.”
— Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Message:
In life’s journey, there are countless distractions, challenges, and obstacles that can pull our focus away from God. Whether it’s personal struggles, worries about the future, or even the temptations of worldly success, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most: Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 urges us to fix our eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Looking unto Jesus means deliberately shifting our focus away from our circumstances and onto Christ. It is a call to trust in His sovereignty, to remember that He is in control, and that His plans for us are good. Jesus is both the beginning and the end of our faith journey. He initiates it and brings it to completion.

One of the most powerful examples of this truth is found in the story of Peter walking on water. When Peter stepped out of the boat and kept his eyes on Jesus, he did the impossible—he walked on water. But the moment he became distracted by the wind and waves, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30). The lesson is clear: as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can rise above any storm. But when we fixate on our problems, fear and doubt creep in, and we start to falter.

Jesus endured the cross, the ultimate suffering, for the joy set before Him. That joy was the redemption of humanity, the reconciliation between God and His creation. He endured because He saw beyond the pain to the promise. In the same way, we are called to endure our trials by looking beyond them to the promises of God.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus doesn’t mean ignoring our problems; it means seeing them through the lens of His power and grace. It means trusting that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28) and that He is with us in every situation.

When we make a habit of looking unto Jesus in all things, we find strength, peace, and guidance. He becomes our source of hope when we are weary, our comfort in times of sorrow, and our anchor in the storm. His life, His teachings, and His example inspire us to persevere in faith, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes fixed on You. In the midst of challenges, distractions, and uncertainties, remind me that You are the author and perfecter of my faith. Teach me to trust in Your plan and to follow Your lead with steadfast focus. Thank You for Your grace and faithfulness in my life. In Your name, Amen.

Further Reading: