Morning – June 28 | Spurgeon Devotional

Morning

Scripture

> 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)

Devotional

It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.

“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness: I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

Reflection

Spurgeon reminds us that the enemy constantly tries to turn our focus inward—to our sins, our lack of faith, our feelings, or our wavering hold on Jesus. But the Holy Spirit’s work is to turn our eyes away from self to Christ. It is not the strength of our grip or the warmth of our emotions that saves us; it is Christ’s blood and merits. Looking within brings no comfort or assurance. The only source of rest for the soul is what Jesus is and what He has done.

What we might miss is how subtle this inward turn can be—even “spiritual” self-examination can become a form of self-focus that robs us of peace. The command is clear: look unto Jesus.

Goad

Are you looking to your own spiritual condition, feelings, or performance for assurance, or are you simply looking to Jesus? What would it look like today to keep your eye fixed on Him alone, letting His death, merits, and intercession fill your mind?