The FOREVER NOTEBOOK

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”- Hebrews 12:2

When you go through difficult times your mind is consumed by the ordeal. To provide yourself relief you may at times think back to simpler times when life was less problematic and when your future seemed brighter. You give your mind rest by thinking upon precious memories.

You have probably never heard of John Braselton Fillmore Wright but more than likely you have heard a song that he wrote in 1923 called Precious Memories. It has been recorded by numerous gospel and country music artists including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Alabama, Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin. (It may be easier to list the artists who have not recorded the song.) Precious Memories was one of many sentimental songs written by Wright who was a farmer by trade.

Wright’s life had been filled with setbacks due to the loss of dear family members and it was through song that he relieved the pain of a broken heart. A year and a half before writing Precious Memories his youngest son died of diphtheria at the age of five. It is no wonder that so many people have identified with the sentiments expressed in the lyrics. Here is the familiar chorus:

Precious memories, how they linger

How they ever flood my soul

In the stillness of the midnight

Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

Today’s focus scripture is written in the context of difficult times and suffering. In the preceding verse we are told, “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Heb 12:1) Then in verse 3 we read, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Verses 1 and 3 help us to understand the instruction in verse 2:

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

There is certainly nothing wrong with taking your mind to a place and time from the past to relieve the agony of the moment but here the emphasis is on the relief that can be found by focusing on “the joy” that lies ahead. Before you lies something far greater than anything than you have ever experienced. It will be a time of total victory in a place where there will be no more pain or sorrow. Just as Jesus “endured the cross” by looking to “the joy set before him” we gain the courage, boldness, and faith we need for standing in the midst of hardship by following His example. We look to Christ not only as the “author of our faith” but also as the “perfecter of our faith.”

Jesus faced the cross not only by enduring but also by “scorning its shame.” He refused to allow the cross to defeat Him. When we stand up to our hardships in faith and confidence in God we are “scorning” its hold on our lives. We know that we can be hurt but not destroyed. We will reign victorious in Christ.

Just as Jesus looked to the time that he would sit down “at the right hand of the throne of God” we can be emboldened by thinking on that time when we will be with our Lord in His heaven.

The Easter message gives us Precious Memories for the future and relief is found, not from what was, but what is and shall be as we “fix our eyes on Jesus.”

Now, let’s revisit the chorus to Precious Memories but rather than looking back let’s look forward to our blessed hope. Pay particular attention to the precious sacred scenes in your future.

Precious memories, how they linger

How they ever flood my soul

In the stillness of the midnight

Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

It just occurred to me that this is the second time when this song has come to mind as I have considered God’s word. Ironically, as “Precious Memories of the future flood my soul” on this Easter Eve it was on Christmas Eve (see Precious Memories) when I last wrote about this song as the result of my observations on Luke 2:19: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” That message had to do with looking back on what God has done in your life as a believer.

Wherever we see Jesus, in the past, present, or future there will be plentiful Precious Memories for strengthening our faith. When we “fix our eyes on Jesus” there is always hope.