(The following is the October 29 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Hebrews 12 and pay close attention to verses 1-2.)
One of my most encouraging experiences was my first competitive footrace. I was in my 40s and new to running. My goals were simple – finish upright, run the entire distance without walking, and finish in under 30 minutes. I achieved all three. What impacted me most happened at the end of the race. As I approached the finish line, spectators lined the path, cheering us onward. I didn’t know any of them, yet they clapped and encouraged us. I was emotionally overcome and could’ve run farther, if needed, due to their presence.
That race comes to mind when reading Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfector of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We aren’t alone in our race. Many others run it with us now. Saints who have gone before join our Lord as a “large cloud of witnesses surrounding us.” Spurgeon wrote: “Thousands upon thousands who have run this race before us and have attained their crowns watch us from their heavenly seats. Angels and principalities and powers and hosts redeemed by blood have gathered to observe the glorious spectacle of people agonizing for holiness and putting forth their utmost strength to copy the Lord Jesus. This race is worth running, this race for the great prize. If there is any spiritual life and gracious strength in us, let us put it forth today – for patriarchs, prophets, saints, martyrs, and apostles look down from heaven upon us.” *
Next Step:
Who has encouraged you to run the race of faith? If possible, thank them for their influence. Who can you encourage in their race?
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* CSB Spurgeon Study Bible, ed. Alistair Begg (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1657.
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