Devotion:
Read Hebrews 11:32 - 12:1.
The verses in Chapter 11 remind us of a long line of Bible characters -- judges, prophets, kings, and martyrs -- who kept their faith in difficult struggles. Their allegiance to God did not bring them popularity or gain them worldly fame. Some of them overcame their weaknesses with the strength God poured into them. Many of them faced torture and even death rather than turn away from God. After this long list of heroes of faith, the writer says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” My cloud of witnesses includes all of these characters plus many others that I have known personally. My parents, a brother and a sister, Sunday School teachers, pastors, and mentors who loved me, lived faithful lives before me, and are no longer living.
My cloud of witnesses inspires me to lean more heavily on Christ and to run my race the very best I can. My race is so much easier than the race many of my witnesses ran. When I think of some of them and their race, I am encouraged to keep running. Besides, I know there are some who are watching me now, toiling away in my race, and some of them are even running alongside me. We never run alone or unnoticed!
Personal Worship Option:
“Almighty God, thank you for those who have gone before me, living lives of faith. Thank you for their stories in Scripture and in my personal life. Help me to be inspired by the races they ran so that I might run the race before me in faith and in your strength. Amen.”
No comments:
Post a Comment