Chapter 21—Looking Unto Jesus
Many make a serious mistake in their religious life by keeping
the attention fixed upon their feelings and thus judging of their ad-
vancement or decline. Feelings are not a safe criterion. We are not to
look within for evidence of our acceptance with God. We shall find
there nothing but that which will discourage us. Our only hope is in
“looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.” There is
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everything in Him to inspire with hope, with faith, and with courage.
He is our righteousness, our consolation and rejoicing.
Those who look within for comfort will become weary and disap-
pointed. A sense of our weakness and unworthiness should lead us
with humility of heart to plead the atoning sacrifice of Christ. As we
rely upon His merits we shall find rest and peace and joy. He saves to
the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.
We need to trust in Jesus daily, hourly. He has promised that as our
day is, our strength shall be. By His grace we may bear all the burdens
of the present and perform its duties. But many are weighed down by
the anticipation of future troubles. They are constantly seeking to bring
tomorrow’s burdens into today. Thus a large share of all their trials are
imaginary. For these, Jesus has made no provision. He promises grace
only for the day. He bids us not to burden ourselves with the cares and
troubles of tomorrow; for “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
The habit of brooding over anticipated evils is unwise and unchris-
tian. In thus doing we fail to enjoy the blessings and to improve the
opportunities of the present. The Lord requires us to perform the
duties of today and to endure its trials. We are today to watch that we
offend not in word or deed. We must today praise and honor God. By
the exercise of living faith today we are to conquer the enemy. We
must today seek God and be determined that we will not rest satisfied
without His presence. We should watch and work and pray as though
this were the last day that would be granted us. How intensely earnest,
then, would be our life. How closely would we follow Jesus in all our
words and deeds.
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