Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Hebrews 12:1 ... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
FOCUS ON FINISHING THE RACE OF FAITH
As you well know there are different types of races and different ways to run each one. You cannot run a marathon at the pace of a 100 meter dash. You can only sprint for a short time. If you try to run a marathon at a sprint, you're not going to make it. This race of faith is of marathon duration. You cannot get by on emotion or adrenaline. If your faith is based on emotion, and subjected to the wild up and down ride of your emotions, you will soon become discouraged. We have to look at the big picture of finishing and know that while there will be ups and downs, our God does not change, and He will provide what is needed to endure.
Recall the parable of the sower and the seed. When seed fell into stony ground it grew quickly, but it did not put down roots and was scorched by the sun. Jesus says that picture is of one who "hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles" (Matthew 13: 20-21).
Rather we're told, "Run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). The word here for endurance also means patience and bearing up under a load. Endurance is what we need because how easily we give up on God when things don't seem to be going our way! We need this shot of encouragement because while the race that we're in is long and hard it is well worth finishing.
This is because at the end of the race faith becomes sight -- you will fully experience the glory of the Lord and gain the heavenly inheritance. Heaven is where you not only will no longer be sad or be relieved of pain and bitterness, but you will be reunited with believers that you have missed. You will live forever as you were meant to be. You will have complete satisfaction of both body and soul. You will be happy with no times of gloom to overshadow it. Keep enduring because what is on the other side of the finish line is worth the struggle.
