Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that GOD has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy He knew would be His afterward. Now He is seated in the place of highest honor beside GOD’s throne in heaven. 3 Think about all He endured when sinful people did such terrible things to Him, so that you do not become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.” ~ Hebrews 12:1-4
The faithfulness of this “huge crowd of witnesses” is a constant encouragement to us. We do not struggle alone, and we are not the first to struggle with the problems we face. Others have run the race and won, and their witness stirs us to run and win also.
When we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. But we are not alone; there is help. Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced. Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity. It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet. The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with GOD, to run patiently, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from Him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us. We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep Him in sight.
These people were facing difficult times of persecution, but none of them had died for their faith. Because they were still alive, the writer of Hebrews urged them to continue to run their race. Just as Christ did not give up, neither should we.
LORD GOD, we face many hardships and discouragement, and we do lose sight of the big picture – but we are so thankful that we are not alone. We have the most powerful Father in the universe! We know that being a Christian is hard work and that it requires giving up whatever endangers our relationship with YOU, Father GOD. We ask that YOUR Holy Spirit give us the power we need as we struggle against sin. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus so that we will live effectively for YOU. Just as Christ did not give up – neither will we.
Photo: Surfside Beach (Texas)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
