Running
Happy Monday!
I want to encourage you keep running today.
You need to keep running the good race, fighting the good fight. You need to be on guard, stay the course, stand firm, and remember why you get to run this race. It is only because of Jesus Christ’s death and ressurrection that you get to fight this fight. It is only because of this, that you get to show others your faith.
Take a moment to read these verses in Hebrews… meditate, journal, and reflect.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 12:1-2
Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were getting old, complacent, and were drifting from the focus they once had. They were without energy and excitement and they were prepared to toss in the towel because of the persecution they were facing. Their urgency for the gospel was gone and much of their hope was lost. This church’s congregation was becoming lazy and spiritually careless. There needed to be a change in behavior and posture towards the gospel. Throughout the book of Hebrews, we see this common theme. The author of Hewbrews is encouraging them to run, but why?
We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. The saints who have run the race before us are watching and saying, “I finished by faith and you can to!”
Jesus creates and perfects our faith. The fight of faith is not done by our own strength. Thank goodness it’s not! Do you believe He is good and that His promises are far better than anything you could do to try and perfect your faith?
We will experience joy in the end! Jesus knew the joy that was to come and endured the cross, so we too would experience this same joy. The reward of seeing God and being free from the wages of sin is the greatest jot of all!
When times get hard and it seems impossible to have great faith, rememeber what Paul says in Romans 8:18: “the sufferings of this present age are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to the children of God.”
So, “let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
Reflection Question: Hebrews 12 says, “let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.” What weight and/or sin do you need to lay aside, so you can run with endurance?
Take some time to ask God to reveal this to you and to help you run with endurance the race set before you.
Today’s Worship Song: Running — Hillsong Worship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SnnB4slbxM
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6byQ81MM7NtCpvVtfVRTtw?si=x_pCjlLzQSWtCWEYx6r50A
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/running/720106978?i=720107729
I have loved receiving prayer requests from you. Please continue to send them my way! My email is: blrich1399@gmail.com
With love,
Brooke
