Verse of the Day for October 30

Two phrases echo each other in these verses. The race that is set before us. And the joy that was set before him. What was placed in front of Jesus helped him run his course. What is placed in front of us is the course itself.

He ran with joy ahead of him, and that joy carried him through the cross, despising the shame. He did not enjoy the cross. He endured it, looking past it. Now he is set down at the right hand of God. His race is finished.

That is why we run Looking unto Jesus. We look at someone who has already crossed the line, who knows the course because he ran a harder one.

The end of the day is a good time for the other instruction: lay aside every weight. Evening is when you take off your shoes, empty your pockets, put down your bag. It is also when you can set down the worries and grudges and sins you picked up since morning. A runner cannot carry all of them and still run tomorrow.

Tonight, before you sleep, name the weights you are carrying. Set them before God one by one. Then look at Jesus, who finished, and rest.

Jesus ran a harder race than yours, and he finished it.

What you lay down tonight you do not have to carry into tomorrow.