How can I “work up” enough faith today?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How do you have faith? You look to Jesus, and faith is produced in your heart.

You don’t have to “work up” faith.

Suppose I needed to cross the Mississippi River and I wasn’t sure whether the bridge could hold me up or not. I could do one of two things: 

• Stand on the bank and try to work up enough courage to believe in the structural integrity of that bridge, then timidly walk over it. 

• Or look at the semi-trucks traveling across the mighty steel and concrete of that bridge, believe, and boldly walk across in faith!

In this case, faith is the by-product of seeing the strength of the bridge itself. In the same way, it’s not great faith in God that you need; it’s faith in a great God!

When you see who Jesus Christ is, when you become acquainted with Him, when you look unto Jesus, who is our chief example, He gives you strength for the race. Not only is He the Author of our faith, He’s also the Finisher of our faith.

"Finisher" means He is the one who completes and perfects our faith. He gives you the strength to run the race. He puts us in the race, then He gives us the strength for it.

ACTION POINT:

Pray: Father, I have been a lazy spiritual athlete. Help those of us who have not known discipline, determination, and direction, to learn them. And, Lord, help us always to be looking unto Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers