Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
BE ENCOURAGED BY THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY REACHED THE GOAL OF HEAVEN
Instead of giving up because of extra weight or being snared in sin we can find encouragement in those who ran before us and finished life in the faith. "Therefore we also [run with endurance], since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses."
The previous chapter tells us who this cloud of witnesses is. Hebrews 11 catalogs men and women of faith in the Old Testament and the great tests and hardships that they endured because of their faith, as well as the great things that were accomplished through their faith. Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, Samuel and many more are mentioned. They lived and died in the faith and now they have the prize of heaven. We may even look to those that we know personally who have preceded us, those who were faithful to the end. It can be done.
Some sixty years ago it was thought that it was impossible to run a mile in under four minutes. Scientists firmly believed that the human body was not built to do such a thing. And it had never been accomplished. People had given up on the idea. Yet Roger Bannister ran a mile in 3 minutes 52 seconds in 1952. After that, when people knew that it could actually be done, a sub four minute mile was run on a regular basis. Look at those before us who have their heavenly inheritance. Now is not the time to give up. You may actually be quite close to the finish line depending on what the Lord has in mind. Keep on running and run well. Heaven is a reality.
