FAITHFUL TO THE FINISH

FAITHFUL TO THE FINISH

READ:
Hebrews 12:1-4

Let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1

After running 32 kilometers (20 miles) of the Salomon Kielder Marathon in Great Britain, a runner dropped out and rode a bus to the wooded area near the finish line.  Then, he re-entered the race and claimed third prize.  When officials questioned him, he stated that he stopped running because he was tired.

Many of us can relate to the exhaustion of a worn-out athlete as we run the race of the Christian faith.  The book of Hebrews encourages us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (12:1).  Running with endurance requires that we lay aside the sin that stands in our way and shed the weights that hold us back.  We may even have to press on through persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

To prevent weariness and discouragement in our souls (Hebrews 12:3), the Bible urges us to focus on Christ.  When we pay more attention to Him than to our struggles, we will notice Him running alongside us-supporting us when we stumble (2 Corinthians 12:9) and encouraging us with His example (1 Peter 2:21-24).  Keeping our eyes on "the author and finisher or our faith" (Hebrews 12:2) will help us stay close to the source of our strength and remain faithful to the finish. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace. - Lemmel
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We can finish strong when we focus on Christ.

INSIGHT
Because of severe persecution, Jewish Christians were pressured to abandon Christianity and revert to Judaism.  The unnamed writer of Hebrews wrote to encourage them by affirming the preeminence, superiority and sufficiency of Christ through His person and position (chs.1-4) and His work (chs.5-10).  To encourage them to persevere in their faith, the author recounted examples of people from their history who had remained faithful to the end (ch.11).  In Hebrews 12, he challenged them to stay focused on Jesus, the supreme example of perseverance and faithfulness, by remembering what He had done for them on the cross (vv.1-2) and by imitating Him in His suffering (vv.3-4).  Just as Jesus was exalted through His suffering, they too would be honored (v.3).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace