September 11 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Have you ever been despondent, disappointed, discouraged and disillusioned to the point that you wondered, “Why bother? Why do things have to be the way they are?” You look at the world around you and there is very little that makes you happy. Everything goes, sinful lifestyles are condoned, and government policies are formed by public opinion rather than values and principles. Sin and its results are everywhere. It can be very depressing.

When you turn your attention to the church the picture doesn’t seem to be much better. There are those who know exactly how to put the dots on every “i” of doctrine and how to cross the “t” of every Christian practice, and yet show so little piety in their dealings with fellow believers. It’s especially discouraging when you see how the same corruption resides within your own heart. You become tired of how often you fail the Lord and mess up in your relationships with others, even when you have the best intentions.

Although we may be discouraged by society, concerned about the future of the church, and disgusted by our own sinfulness, we may not feed negativism. For we should not lose sight of who is at the helm! The author to the Hebrews reminds discouraged believers of the gospel of Christ’s ascension. God has spoken! The finished work of Christ is our encouragement! Jesus is back in heaven, having accomplished His redeeming work. He paid our debt through His death on the cross. He finished the task that was given to Him as our High priest, allowing Him to say, “It is finished.” Nothing more needed to be done. This is why he sat down at the right hand of God when He ascended into heaven.

What an amazing picture of mercy, love and royal splendour! Christ sat down. The priests of the Old Testament did not sit down while on duty because their work was never finished. Christ finished His redeeming work and sat down. That is why we shouldn’t be dwelling on how bad things are but on how good things have become. Jesus sat down at the right hand of God. Always keep this in mind when you are tempted to become frustrated, uptight or upset with what you see happening around you and in your own life. Stand up for Jesus who sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high!