A call to endurance

Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside ever weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne."


Let's look at the background of this passage. Hebrews chapter 11 is called the Heroes of Faith, or the the Hall of Faith. Here is a short list of chapter 11. I encourage you to read the whole chapter, it is really encouraging.

Abel- By faith he offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did.

Enoch- By faith he was taken away so that he did not experience death.

Noah- By faith after being warned about what was not yet seen, in reverence built an ark to deliver his family.

Abraham- By faith was called, obeyed, and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. When he was tested, he offered up Isaac.

Sarah- By faith when she was barren, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.

Isaac- By faith he blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Jacob- By faith he blessed each of the sons of Joseph, when he was dying.

Moses- By faith he chose to suffer with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin. He left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king's anger. He instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood. He crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land.

Several others as well.

What I want all of us to remember is that there is absolutely no difference between these people and us. All of us can do all of that stuff, if we  have only one thing. Faith. By/through faith these people did these things.

With these people listed, and countless others still alive right now, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.

Even if it feels like every human on this great earth is against us, we are not alone. If we are a child of the King, then we are never alone, amen. Run with endurance the race before us. Never give up, never quit. Don't let the enemy win a battle.

Bro. Michael