On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life. (Joshua 4:14 ESV)

Tens of thousands had just crossed crossed over the mighty Jordan river without floatation devices. They strolled across the miraculously dry river bed without a drop of water clinging to their feet.

Oh yeah, and the river just happened to be at flood stage. Which means that at some points, the river had swollen from 100 feet wide to 2,500 feet wide (source).

It’s incredible.

It’s also eerily reminiscent of another miraculous water crossing (Hint: It’s the Red Sea crossing in Exodus 14).

So not only was this crossing of the Jordan significant because God’s power was on display, it was also symbolic of his authority being conferred from Moses to Joshua as Israel’s leader.

Our text tells us that God “exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.”

As a leader, this was a good first day. But notice a few things here:

1. God exalted Joshua in front of the people. There was no hint of self-promotion here. No flicker of that desperate need for approval, acceptance, and adulation that plagues so many of us.
2. Effective—and God-honoring—leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. Rather, it’s about being the person who gets with God. The person who says what God tells them to. Who leads people to where the Spirit is leading them.
3. Being the kind of leader that leads God’s people to great places is less about personal attributes than it does personal commitment. After all, Jesus modeled this perfectly by only doing and saying what the Father did and said.

Unfortunately, this is not how I’ve often approached it.

I always want to dazzle. I want to be the cleverest person in the room. I want to be eloquent, fresh, and profound.

My pride purrs like a kitten when I get to be the guy who tackles a text from a different angle than people have heard before.

In fact, there’s this satisfying moment I remember after preaching through the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. A New Testament professor came up to me afterwards and told me, “Wow. I’ve never heard this passage taught that way.”

I LOVED that… Too much, I’m afraid.

But when I take a step back and think about it, I’ve been the most effective when I’ve simply done and said what God’s told me to do and to say.

The crux of Biblical leadership seems to be this: We’re most effective when we do and say exactly what the Holy Spirit leads us to. Because ultimately, he’s always going to point people to Jesus and God’s glory, which is exactly who we all need.

We need Jesus. We need to submit to his Lordship. To follow him on the cruciform path. We were made to run after him with wild abandon.

We’ve come to the end of our series about the disciple’s race in the book of Hebrews.

So far, we’ve learned:

Compassion isn't simply a feeling of pity—it's the willingness to suffer with others!
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Hope in Jesus fosters endurance to resist sin, compromise, and fear.
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Hebrews 11 isn't simply the hall of faith—it's our family tree.
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The Holy Spirit leads us *out* of death and *into* freedom.
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Today, we’re going to look to Jesus in Hebrews 12:2. We’ll see that the disciple’s life is a race that costs us everything, that we may gain even more.

…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Some of you reading this devotion are tired. You’re frazzled and frayed.

You have a million responsibilities—maybe as parents, teachers, professionals, caring for sick loved ones, and the list goes on.

Add onto this the call to be disciples running a difficult race through enemy territory.

If this describes you, you’re in the same sandals as the original readers of Hebrews. They were ready to throw in the towel and trade their cleats for slippers. But in today’s verse, the writer of this letter helps us see the ultimate encouragement.

He tells us all: look to Jesus! He means fix your attention solely on Jesus.

For one minute get tunnel vision, forget the chaos of your life, and simply look to Jesus right now.

What did he do?

He *endured* the horror of Roman crucifixion.

Why did he do it?

“…for the joy that was set before him…”

Jesus looked right through the cross and pursued the joy before him. The joy David wrote about in a Psalm:

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 ESV

Because where does Jesus sit today?

At the right hand of the throne of God.

You see, life as a disciple of Jesus Christ is hard. This is a difficult race we run. However, we’re not running a hopeless, joyless, drudgery-laden race!

We are looking forward to everlasting joy in the very presence of God! Joy unending.

Eternal peace. An end to sorrow, suffering, and death itself.

And yes, we do have this awaiting us on the other side of the grave… But did you know it’s also available to us right now?

In John 15:11 Jesus told the Twelve: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

What does it mean when something’s full? It means nothing can be added to it to make it complete.

In the person and presence of Jesus Christ we have complete joy. Joy that needs nothing else to make it better.

We need no spiritual weight, no sin that clings so closely…

…we simply need to “abide” in him. To live in and dwell with him.

If you trust Jesus as Master, Savior, and Lord, then trust that he was looking toward real joy. Joy that was worth enduring the cross for.

As Warren Wiersbe, said: “…in Jesus’ battle against sin, He shed His own blood.” [1]

• If you are a tired disciple, abide in Jesus and receive his joy.
• If you are on the brink of giving up, look to the author and perfecter of our faith.
• If you are enduring persecution, trust that Jesus, as the God-man, knew the true path to eternal joy… And follow him.

Fellow disciple, put on your tunnel vision glasses, and look to Jesus today as we run the disciple’s race side by side.

Footnotes:

[1] Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996. Print.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Revelation 1:17-18 ESV

King Jesus is alive and glowing with power, like the sun (Revelation 1:12-16).

He is sovereign, which means possessing supreme or ultimate power. He is worthy of our adoration, our worship, and our lives. But before all of these, he’s also worthy of our hearts.

Jesus is worthy of our worship and our lives—he’s also worthy of our hearts.
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Yesterday, we considered our response to King Jesus in light of the Apostle John’s reaction to him. He literally fell at Jesus’ feet “as though dead.” But what happened next?

King Jesus “laid his hand on me, saying, Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Jesus displayed his heart toward his worshipper. The King’s heart is for us. It is not hardened by power, but compassionate.

His work on the earth has brought salvation to us by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). And his reign extends that grace! He still reaches down to pull us up, still places his mighty hand upon our shoulders, in love.

We worship a mighty King—but more importantly a loving God.
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Be moved today to worship a God who loves you!

If God is everywhere all the time, why does today’s verse imply a timeline?

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”

Isaiah 55:6 (ESV)

Isaiah wrote these words about 200 years before the Babylonian Empire crumbled! At this point in the story, God is preparing His people to return home (which we see happen in Ezra and Nehemiah).

And while today’s verse may seem straightforward, there is a surprising twist.

Here’s the question:

Seek the Lord While He is Near
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When we think about seeking the Lord, we often think about the moments we feel emotionally closest to Him, like worship, in prayer, or while reading His Word. But Isaiah’s message is a call to seek God even when we don’t “feel” His presence. Even when our circumstances seem bleak.

Just as the Israelites were encouraged to seek the Lord amidst the chaos of a crumbling empire, we too are called to seek Him in the midst of our own struggles and uncertainties. With banks failing, economic uncertainty, and wars, we certainly face trying times.

Our Great Advantage to Seek the Lord While He is Near

Seeking the Lord means more than just calling out His name. It is an intentional pursuit of His presence. A burning desire to know Him — not just about Him. And a willingness to submit to His will.

Calling upon God also requires that we prepare our hearts. Because often, His guidance and direction contradict our own desires or expectations. But, it’s always better, higher, and more glorious!

The best part? Today, we have an unbelievable advantage. We live in the New Covenant. Jesus brings God’s presence nearer than most people in the Old Testament ever expected. We are filled with the very Spirit of God!

As Hebrews 4:16 reminds us:

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Reflect on this powerful message from Isaiah. Seek the Lord with intentionality and openness. Remember, God is near. We can approach His throne with boldness in Jesus. And He longs for us to seek Him in every season of life.

Ask yourself this simple question: In what area of my life do I need to seek the Lord while He is near, today?

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Acts 2:12-13 ESV

People in the neighborhood heard two things:

1. A loud noise…
2. People fluently speaking languages they couldn’t possibly know…

Welcome to church!

The Holy Spirit had just fallen on the disciples who gathered to pray. They were waiting on God — and he showed up miraculously!

Let’s look at the responses from the crowd where we see two types of people emerge: curious and critical.

Curious About the Things of God

Whenever God moves there will be people who are curious. They will wonder, “What does this mean?”

The supernatural power of the Holy Spirit coupled with the unity and joy of believers will attract them.

You can trust the Holy Spirit is wooing these people and drawing them toward Jesus.

Our mission is to seek God, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and share the gospel with the curious.

Critical of the Things of God

Then we have the critical.

In Acts 2, they accused the believers of being drunk! They thought there is no way these people are doing anything worth our time.

They judged the believers harshly. They were the critics without curiosity, cold to the things of God.

Today, we call this Reddit… 🙂

Seek God

Disciples of Jesus won’t let the critics silence us.

We will keep testifying to what we know is true:

1. Jesus was who he said he was,
2. he died and rose again,
3. and the Holy Spirit will seal eternal life in us through believing in him.

Don’t worry about the critics, worry about seeking God. Focus on faithfulness. And then be ready to invite the curious into our faith family!

What if the disciples would have focused all of their attention on the critics that morning? What if they would have spent hours debating them and trying to prove their legitimacy, instead of sharing the gospel?

They would have missed the 3,000+ souls who were curious about God and ready to accept the gospel!

Don’t miss the people with soft hearts and open minds God has placed in your life to see the work he’s doing in and through you.

Are you more focused on the critics than seeking the curious?

P.S. Even the harshest critics can become the most passionate evangelists. Just think about Paul.

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Romans 7:4 ESV

Is it hard for you to feel you’re good enough for God to love you?

Growing up, I was scared that I’d commit one too many sins. It was as if my eternal life danced on a cliff edge.

Scenes from past sin played on repeat in my mind. And so, I would try harder. I would wake up earlier to do my devotions, write longer prayer lists, swear off “sinful” behaviors, and more.

However, we find the key understanding young Jordan was missing in today’s verse.

The authentic Christian life is the fruit of grace, not our force of character.
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It’s a Marriage

In the verses prior, Paul used a marriage analogy to help the young church in Rome understand something similar. They were stuck on fulfilling the Old Testament laws as the path to salvation.

Paul explained that God’s people used to be married to the Law, but that husband is now dead! Instead, God’s people are married to Jesus Christ!

When he writes that we “belong to another” in today’s verse, that person is Jesus. And it’s his life that flows into us.

To avoid this seeming too “heady” let’s keep it in the marriage context.

Our eternal place in God's family is secure because of our relationship with Jesus as his bride.
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There’s nothing left to earn. Our old husband (the law) is dead. Our new husband (Jesus) is alive, all powerful, and ready to work his life in us.

Barren Trees

Trying to produce the fruit of the Christian life under our own strength is a dead end. It’s a fool’s errand. Because we are trying to find life in something that’s rotting in the grave.

We only produce fruit by Jesus’ life.

As he told his disciples in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Understanding this decades ago would have removed some anxiety! But it also would have led me away from sin and toward my Savior.

God’s kindness, his grace, leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Enjoy his kindness today and look to Jesus for hope, not your ability to keep laws.

When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.

Psalm 119:59–60 ESV

When God said, “Let there be light,” the universe sprang into existence.

When God speaks, glorious things happen.
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So what is God speaking in your life, family, or church right now? And are you obeying as quickly as the universe did?!

Finish this statement:

“God is calling me to _______.”

What was your answer?

Whatever it is, are you going to obey him fast?

In today’s verses, the psalmist described a key life pattern we should each adopt:

1. Observe your life
2. Turn to God’s word
3. Obey as fast as you can

Imagine your life if you started living in this simple way today. (Some of you already do!)

What if, instead of a scramble for our personal comfort, our lives looked like a mad dash for obedience?
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Can you imagine the impact your life could have for the kingdom?

The best part is, when we understand who is speaking to us, it is a joyful thing to obey.

He is the God who spoke the universe into existence…

Who commanded the sun to shine…

Who set the earth spinning…

When God speaks, his incredible will comes to pass. So what is his will for you today?

Will you to his word as your source of truth and obey as fast as you can?

If you knew this, how would you spend your last night on earth? You thought you had a lifetime before you, but you only get today.

…who would you gather around yourself?

…what would you spend your time doing?

…what would you be thinking about?

This may sound morbid, and even farfetched. But this is exactly the situation Jesus was in in today’s devotional verse:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:3–5 ESV

In John 13, we find Jesus on the night before his crucifixion. He knew exactly how he would die, and was well-acquainted with the horrors of Roman execution.

Even knowing this, Jesus spends his last night loving and serving his friends, and washing their feet.

Oh wait… It wasn’t just his friends there, was it?

Judas Iscariot was in the bunch. He was about to do the unthinkable and betray his Master for a handful of coins.

Jesus knew this too. Yet, he spent his final night focused on loving others well, for, “he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).

Considering the way Jesus spent his life, even to his final night on earth, how will you spend your?

Our lives aren't simply about our goals, resolutions, or personal growth...
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Our lives are meant to be like Jesus’. To continue his mission in the world.

As Jesus said: ” A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

So, how will people recognize you as a disciple of Jesus?

Saul was after him again. And his men were bearing down on him.

If this wasn’t enough, David’s family decided it was a good idea to find him and stay, as well.

So David sits in harm’s way… And now so does his family!

Then comes the icing on the proverbial cake…

Let’s read today’s devotional Bible verse to see what happened next:

And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.

1 Samuel 22:2 ESV

David becomes the leader of a rag-tag group of 400 filled with:

• The distressed,
• The hopelessly in debt,
• And the bitter in soul.

Not exactly the dream team when a powerful king is after you…

So what does he do?

David Runs From the Cave of Adullam, Then Says This…

First, he doesn’t wallow in self-pity. And he doesn’t lash out at the people who’ve flocked to him.

He goes to the king of a place called Mizpeh of Moab. And asks the king: “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me” (1 Samuel 22:3).

What incredible faith in that statement.

We know David is a man with a heart of worship. But now we see that in his desperate time of need, he’s also a man of great trust in God.

He doesn’t crumple up into a ball of self-pity. Or fall headlong into a pit of despair.

David leaves the cave of Adullam with his 400 problem-plagued soldiers… With his family in imminent danger… With a bloodthirsty king at his heels…

…and in effect, says, “I know God is going to deliver me, I’m just waiting a bit learn how…”

And do you know what else?

David had just written Psalm 34, where verse 8 reads:

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

When David needed refuge most, he turned to God.

The question today is, where do you turn?

Devotion by Jordan Loftis. Jordan is the editor of Short Daily Devotions and the author of The Men With Bare Feet: Discovering Intimacy With God Through Moses, Joshua, and Jesus.

They wanted to know why Jesus and the disciples weren’t fasting like the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist. Everyone had an expectation that Jesus would maintain their vision for holiness and piety.

Then he broke their expectations by living to standards of his own and his Father’s: 

He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Luke 5:36–39 ESV

God was doing a new thing (new wine). And this new thing required new behaviors (new wineskins).
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Disrupting the status quo meant life as people knew it changed. People projected their version of how God’s Messiah should behave onto Jesus and his ministry.

They didn’t like how he did things.

Healing people on the Sabbath ruffled their feathers. And don’t even get them started on the prostitutes and tax collectors He hung around!

Jesus explained if he tried to work God’s plan in their ways, it would damage and tear apart the entire rescue mission. The garments would tear, the skins would burst, and no one would be saved.

Despite this truth, people still loved the old ways of doing things—and because they clung to those old ways, they reaped the old results.

We cannot afford to be those people, clinging to the past, clinging to our comfort, saying things like, “Well, we’ve always done it this way…”

Or, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…”

New results require new behaviors. Period.
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If Jesus lived the life people expected, it would have devastated the whole world. Thankfully, he pursued his purpose undeterred. Because of this: 

• His family didn’t understand him (Mark 3:35).
• His hometown rejected him (Mark 6:3). 
• Thousands of followers left him because he said hard things (John 6:66).
• His culture’s leaders plotted to kill him and his friends (John 12:9–11).
• He was put to death on the cross (John 19:18).

Jesus was a disrupter who faithfully did and said only what the Father told him to (John 12:49).

He maintained a single purpose. His actions were relentlessly consistent. And he pushed hard; after all, he only had three years to save the world. 

By accomplishing his mission—to seek and save the lost, bear witness to the truth, and be sacrificed as our substitute—Jesus saved the world.

He fought the very forces of death and Hell on the open battlefield—and won.

Is the Holy Spirit leading you to make a change this year?