Hebrews 12:2-3
2. 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.
3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Permit me to paraphrase this scripture: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
The scriptures expatiate on how we can run the race that has been set before us and that we must lay aside every weight and sin that easily besets us. We also understand that the enemy is not sitting and folding his arms, waiting for us to safely get to the finish line. This is the reason he brings all manner of attacks to the believer. The situation with the world today is already getting people wearied and weak, and our personal issues in terms of finances, spiritual life, health, family, career are constantly being challenged. The church is even being more persecuted and troubled than ever before. All these can make us weary. But weariness is not the answer. Fainting is not the way to go. God will not excuse us if we faint because He knows what we’re passing through.
The Lord has given us the key to not faint, looking unto Jesus. Some versions say, “Looking attentively to Jesus.” It’s a matter of our attention.
Now how do we do this? We pray. Jesus said men ought always to pray and not to faint. When we pray, we’re focusing our lives on Jesus. It says, “lest ye faint in your minds.” The mind is the first fainting arena before we physically reach the ground. We worry, struggle, get anxious, get fearful, etc. This is why we must be transformed by renewing our minds through the word of God.
Another encouraging word is Psalms 34:5 They looked unto Him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
As we focus our attention in the place of prayer on Christ, we are lightened up, such that we cannot faint, nor be ashamed. The church of Christ is marching on, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against us!
