November 13 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:1–3

Devotional

It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus. Satan’s work, however, is just the opposite—he is constantly trying to make us look at ourselves instead of Christ. He keeps insinuating, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you do not have the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold on Jesus.” 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 all in all.

Remember, then, that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you—it is Christ who saves you! It is not your joy in Christ that saves you—it is Christ who saves you! It is not even your faith in Christ that saves you (even though that is the instrument he uses)—it is Christ’s blood and merits that save you!

Therefore, do not look so much to your hand with which you are grasping Christ as to Christ. Do not look to your hope but to Jesus, the source of your hope. Do not look to your faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.

We can 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 our souls. If we would overcome Satan and have peace with God, then it must be by “fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

Keep your eyes simply on Jesus. Keep his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, always fresh on your mind. When you wake in the morning look to him; when you lie down at night look to him. Oh! never let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus. Fix your eyes on Jesus, and he will never fail you.

“My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”
(Edward Mote)

[June 28]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.