I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלוהים) says:
I liken your path of life to a race, and you are headed for a finish line.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
My apostle Paul knew he had finished his race. There is a finish line to your path in this world which is only the beginning of your high calling in Christ that will never end.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14.
Jesus, Peter, and Paul all spoke about that they had finished the work I gave them to do, and that it was time to transition on. And they all spoke of the glory that was awaiting them.
I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:4-5.
Jesus tells you here that when you do the work I gave you to do in your path of life on earth (a free gift of a life of good deeds prepared for you in the advance) that you give Me glory, that you glorify Me. You are living for the praise of My glory. And then He told you that for those who are sincere about that, I glorify them with Me.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:4.
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12.
But how do you get to the finish line? How do you know the way? How do I tell you to run your faith race?
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2.
You keep your eyes on Jesus.
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:5-6.
The path of life is fixing your eyes on Jesus the author (pioneer) and perfector (making you complete) of your faith. But Jesus is not physically present that you can see Him as such but I tell you who He is! He is My Word. And you have a whole book of My Words to set your eyes, ears, heart, and mind upon.
We have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:19-21.
And in seeing Jesus you see Me. I am My Word. And in My Word you also find My Spirit, for My Word, all Scripture, is Spirit breathed right out of My heart to yours.
All Scripture is Spirit breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16.
When you keep your eyes on My Word, and I speak here of both your physical eyes and the eyes of your heart, you will find that My eyes are on you. To guide you and counsel you in the way you should go. My Word is living and working, sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerning the motives of the heart. My Word is the very best guide, helper, and mentor of all. Never take your eyes off My Word. Never let My Word depart from your heart. My Word is life to those who find it and health to all their flesh.
My Words are not idle words they are your very life.
Bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light. Proverbs 6:21-23.
Now let us go back and finish the Scripture where I tell you that you must keep your eyes on Jesus to run and complete your race. What are you particularly looking at in Him that will get you through the days when adversity seems to block your race and you are almost ready to give up and give in?
. . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy 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 has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3.
You are to consider, ponder, put your attention on Him as your leader in overcoming opposition to My Word with joy. He teaches you how to fight the good fight of faith and finish your race. Ponder Him and He will lead you in how to endure hostility on every side and come with confidence to take your seat with Him in Heaven and laugh. Psalm 2:4.
Joy is the only way you can accelerate your race and reach your goal without giving up. My joy is your strength.
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:9-11.
How did Jesus overcome and finish His race? With joy. You too must finish your race with joy. There is a race to run and it must be run with joy. How you run matters. You will never run it if you keep looking back with regret and wishing you had lived differently.
Faith is a confident expectation of the good result that you find in My Word. Jesus prayed one thing for Peter so that he would stay on his race, he prayed that his faith would not fail. You cannot finish your race without faith, it is faith that gives you joy.
If you want to finish your race you must be willing to let go of your guilt, shame, depression, hopelessness, self-pity, sadness, and grief, these things encumber your race and slow you down. You can choose to rejoice your way out of depression, sorrow, and grief. Joy is a conductor of My strength. The more you rejoice the more My strength flows into your situation. Do not dishonor the wonderful gift I have given you in your own race, your own course, for your race is your reason and your purpose in life, it is a great joy for you to complete what you are here for.
I give you a sacred vessel to navigate through life, if you take your eyes off Jesus you will shipwreck, like Peter when he walked toward Jesus on the water, when he took his eyes off Jesus, he went down. You must keep your attention on the light house, the Light of the world.
Keep your eyes on Me and I will pluck your feet out of the snare. When you wait on Me you soar with eagle’s wings.
How do you partake of that gift of joy that I gave you? You have to stir it up so that it does not go inactive. Sing, shout, praise for the good result before you even see it come to pass. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, pick it and eat it and it will sweeten everything.
Paul told you to choose rejoicing, draw on what is within you rather than waiting for all outward circumstances to be perfect. They won’t be so bring your own joy. Praise your way to the other side. You praise your way out of opposition.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2.
I love you. There is a flow of joy that I have released for you. You have it. You just have to take it.