Skip to main content

Devotional 7.31.26

 

July 31 – The Joy Set Before Us

Hebrews 12:1b-2 – Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Scripture Reading – Philippians 2:1-11

Joy is an interesting word. It can be used as a noun, a verb, or to describe an emotion. As an emotion it’s sometimes used interchangeably with “happiness.” But generally, happiness is a temporary feeling driven by external events and circumstances. Whereas joy is enduring, coming from a deep-rooted inner state that is not dependent on circumstances. This seems to be the case for the apostle Paul. Despite being imprisoned he uses the words joy or rejoice at least 14 times in his letter to the Philippians.

Paul tells the church to complete his joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord (Philippians 2:2). The author of Hebrews describes Jesus as having the joy that was set before him. It was looking forward to this joy that he endured the cross, despising the shame. What exactly is this joy that Paul and Jesus are looking toward?

The original Greek translated as joy might be helpful. It’s the same word, chara, used in both passages. It means “gladness” or “delight.” It stems from the Greek word charis, which means grace, favor, or kindness. Charis carries the meaning of a freely given gift or unmerited favor, and is often associated with generosity shown to someone who hasn’t earned it. 

The author or Hebrews seems to be describing Jesus having a joy, chara, set before him, so that he offered unmerited favor and grace, charis, by enduring the cross. The joy he was looking toward came from offering salvation and gathering the lost for eternity. He said as much in Luke 15:7 – I tell you, there will be more joy [chara] in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

 

Jesus gave us the ultimate example of humility, selfless ambition, and counting others as more significant than ourselves. We can have an enduring, deep-rooted inner state of joy because of God’s grace. For us, chara is a natural response to the charis given to us. So, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith. May the grace we’ve received and the joy that we have overflow as we share it with others.

 

Further reading: Psalm 16:11; Habakkuk 3:18-19; Luke 15:1-32; Galatians 5:22-24


Reflection Questions:

1.     How does a deep-rooted inner joy help you to have endurance on your spiritual journey?

2.     What happens to your endurance if you look to things other than Jesus as you run your spiritual race?

 

Prayer: Lord, I do rejoice in you, my redeemer. Thank you for your perfect example of humility and enduring the cross. It is a wondrous mystery that you would do this for me, that you would count it joy to offer grace and unwavering hope. Help me to remember my joy always, to keep my focus on you, and to run the race well that you have set before me. Amen. 


A playlist of our Sunday morning worship songs can be listened to here.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devotional 5.16.25

Yours, O Lord, Is the Kingdom   1 Chronicles 29:10-11 Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.   Scripture Reading: Psalm 70   Psalm 70 is a cry for urgent help: “Make haste, O God, to deliver me!” In contrast, 1 Chronicles 29 declares God’s eternal rule, power, and glory. Together, they reveal two essential truths of faith: God is both near to the needy and exalted above all. We pray for deliverance while praising His unshakable sovereignty. David, in his final prayer, praised the Lord not for personal blessing, but for God’s eternal kingship and majesty. When we feel weak and desperate like the psalmist, we look up and remember the greatness of our God and His amazing love demonstrated in sending Jesus Christ (John 3:16; R...
Post a Comment
Read more

Devotional 7.11.25

July 11, 2025 – Tell The Story Matthew 28:18-20:  And Jesus came and said to them,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Scripture Reading – Psalm 78   What’s your story? What is God’s redemptive story? Do those intersect for you? This week is a good time to reflect on those questions. The writer of Psalm 78 is recounting the lessons from Israel’s past. Asaph is doing this to remind them of who God is, the mighty and faithful acts he’s done, and that Israel (the tribe of Judah, v. 68) are God’s chosen people. The psalmist’s desire is that they not only repent of their sin and unbelief (v. 32), but that their transformation and turning back to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Devotional 5.30.25

The Worthiness of His Praise   Psalm 113:1–3 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!    Scripture Reading: Psalm 72   Psalm 113 opens with a call for God's servants to praise Him from "this time forth and forevermore." From the rising of the sun to its setting, His name is to be praised. Psalm 72 echoes this theme, depicting a king who brings justice, prosperity, and peace — a foreshadowing of Christ. These psalms exalt God’s sovereignty and His care for the needy. His reign is eternal, and His glory fills the earth. We are reminded that praise isn’t limited to circumstances or places; it’s a daily offering from hearts awed by His majesty. Whether in joy or hardship, God remains worthy, and His name deserves praise every moment of the day.   The songs we will sing together on...
Post a Comment
Read more