Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1
Running with Others
Runners often say that they run better when they run with someone. Whether it's a 5k or just a jog around the neighborhood, they have more fun, they push themselves harder, and they get more out of it when they run with someone. There is just something about being with another runner that helps them get through a difficult race.
The writer to the Hebrews says that God has surrounded us by a great cloud of witnesses as we run our race.
We run with Abraham who had every reason to doubt God, yet he followed wherever he was led. God kept all his promises to Abraham. Therefore, let us throw off the sin and burden of doubt and seek the promises of God.
We run with Moses who had the opportunity to stay in Egypt and enjoy all its wealth, but chose to be mistreated with God's people instead of enjoying a life of sin. Therefore, let us choose mistreatment with the people of God rather than the sinful pleasures of this world.
We run with God's people who crossed the Red Sea even though they had every reason to fear death. Therefore, let us throw off the sin and burden of fear and death, and believe that in Christ we have crossed over from death to life.
We see Rahab who had every reason to be indifferent and unkind but instead welcomed the spies into her home. Therefore, let us leave behind rudeness and unkindness in our dealings with others.
You have a race in front of you. It is a long and often difficult journey from where you are now to the place in heaven that Christ has prepared for you. However, you do not run alone. As they did, cast off all sin and anything that would hinder your race. Through faith, they have now finished the race. With all these witnesses who have run before and with fellow Christians running with you now, God will make sure you finish your race as well.
Prayer:
Father of all who have run the race before us, all who run the race now, and all who will run the race in the future, be with us as we journey from here to heaven. Help us to throw off all sin that we may run with endurance. Amen.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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