Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

June 28– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Looking unto Jesus.” 

—Hebrews 12:2

It is the continual work of the Holy Spirit to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus, but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great to be forgiven; your repentance is not real; you will never be able to continue to the end; your faith is weak!”

All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self; he tells us that we are nothing but that Christ is everything. Always remember that it is not your hold on Christ that saves you, it is Christ himself (and his hold on you); it is not your joy in Christ that saves you–it is Christ (and his joy in saving you); it is not even faith in Christ, though faith is the instrument of your salvation– it is Christ himself (his blood and merit) that accomplishes salvation.

We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we want to overcome Satan and have peace with God, we must do so by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep your eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession be fresh upon your mind when you wake up or when you lay down each night. Don’t let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus; look to him, and he will never fail you. [M&E]