Looking Unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)

The other day I read something which excited me because it tied in so well with the things about Christ that I have been learning and writing about. I also read it not long after reading Kirst's post on 'Striving for Perfection' and it seemed to fit nicely with that. Maybe others won't find it exciting, but I just love it when I read and hear things that all tie up and give similar messages, all in a short space of time. I have felt that over this summer God has tied up for me all the things I've heard and read, and confirmed all the things I'm learning are definitely from Him and what He wants me to hear about at the moment.

This extract is from C H Spurgeon's Morning and Evening daily readings (archaic language I'm afraid!):

"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 author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find hppiness 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 eyes 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."

Amen!