Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Because of “the faith of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16) we rejoice because He has given us “faith in the Lord Jesus” (Ephesians 1:15); thus, we endure even the most severe tribulations “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. As “the author … of our faith”, our “Lord” is the ultimate and final authority over “our faith”. Our “Lord”, Himself is the very essence of “faith”, the great example of “faith”, the full and final authority over “faith”, the great power “of faith, the wonderous wisdom “of faith”, and the exclusive originator of “faith” within His “Elect” people (I Peter 1:2). As “the … finisher of our faith”, our “Lord” makes the “faith” that He gives us perfect and complete and strong, and He surely continues “our faith” as long as we live. The greatest enemy of “our faith” is our human nature; for, it is natural man’s nature to doubt and fear. But, our God-given “faith” cries louder than the voice of doubt, “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25) and “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13), and “I can” endure my tribulations by “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. “I can” endure my tribulations just like those faithful folks in Hebrews Chapter Eleven and just like the “great” “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:10) around us today. And, just like them, with my God-given “faith”, “I can” just keep right on worshiping and serving my Lord no matter how severe my tribulations become!