Run!

Run!

Hebrews 12:1 AMP

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,

Just before the verse above, we read of so many people in a hall of faith, men and women who walked by faith at a time Jesus was not yet physically manifested. These men and women were not perfect by the standard of the world; you find names like Rahab the prostitute, Samson the flirt, David the murderer and adulterer, and many others this world would have tuned out and turned down for any recognition. Many of them walked with this God out of personal conviction, and not for any desire to be popular. They did not seek God because it was the usual thing to do, but they came to a point of a personal encounter with this God, and they knew that no matter what happened, they were better off with God, than away from Him. Even the threat or the reality of death did not sway them from the course, and men like Daniel or Stephen could face lions or stones with courage and confidence, sure that their physical experience could not limit or change their eternal reality. 

It is interesting to note what was said about these men and women: 'all of these, though they gained [divine] approval through their faith, did not receive [the fulfillment of] what was promised'. Reflect on this: they were not humanly sure where their faith was headed; they knew something valuable lay at the end of their walk with God, but they did not receive it in their lifetime. God, in His wisdom, kept the best part for this present generation, and He had something better for us, so that these men and women would only be made perfect and completed in Him together with us, who now walk by faith, and have a relationship with Jesus. Think of a man like Abraham, watching from heaven, and seeing us take God at His Word, even when things do not even look like what we are expecting. Picture Samuel, seeing men and women bring God joy as they serve in the place of their calling, bringing the eternal Word of God to mortal men, and changing their lives for the better. 

These are the great cloud of witnesses whose lives should provide encouragement to us to also walk with God by faith. These men and women have finished their own course, and only at the end were they inducted into the hall of faith. The start does not matter as much as the end; you could miss the mark like Samson did at the start, but he found his way back to God at the end. Some could also have a consistent life of service like Daniel, and be brought before kings and mighty men, but it matters that you keep holding on to the end; no compromise, no blending in. That is the message in the verse above: do not let the views oe expectations of men derail you from the course. We have each been given a race to run, and we have the support of the Man of War on our side. He will supply what we need, but we must put in the work and walk the walk. Remember: nothing of earth will go with you into eternity, so let nothing of earth prevent you from running and winning the prize. His help is always available. God's time of favour is here.