Lost In Wonder, Love And Praise

If you have ever used a microscope you will know how it helps you to concentrate on something that may be very small, leaving out other things that don't concern you at the time.

In the same way if you use binoculars to look at something far away, you ignore all that is near in order to get the focus on something far away, perhaps a special castle or a wild animal or whatever. When that object comes into view you look at it intently.

When the writer of the book of Hebrews wrote to encourage the Christians of his day, many of whom had had a hard time as they followed Christ he wanted them to have one object in view. He advised them to look to Jesus. His words are very emphatic — gaze upon Christ, cut out all the things that can distract us and discourage us — just keep looking to Christ The writer gives good reason for us to look to Jesus — he is the foundation of our faith, he is the "completer" of our faith he is the one who died for us and endured all the shame and suffering that involved; and it was all for us.

So when we feel discouraged or tempted by things that are not pleasing to God, let us focus our attention on the Lord Jesus and, as the hymn puts it, 'the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace'.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I am surely 'lost in wonder, love and praise' as I look to you. Amen.