Hebrews is a letter written to Jews who had become Christians, then made homeless, were mocked, tormented, imprisoned, and cut off from their Jewish families and friends. Everything they knew about the Lord Jesus they knew only by hearing. Because of these difficult trials many were drifting away from all they had heard.
As we begin today’s Scripture the author of Hebrews is reminding them and us of the faithful saints, “a cloud of witnesses”, people named in chapter 11 and others who had experienced hardship and finished their race victoriously because of their strong faith and trust in the Lord. In the midst of life’s conflicts and trials how do we handle this race in order to please God?
First, we are to set aside the things that weigh us down: an indifferent attitude, impatience, procrastination, excess activities, and the sin of unbelief experiences when we doubt that God can do what He says He will do. Having set aside the hindrances, we’re told to run with endurance even when there are trials – wait with patience.
Secondly, in verse 2, the writer instructs us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Our eyes are to be centered on Him alone for He has the power to keep us on course, avoiding all distractions; the One “who endured the cross, despised the shame”, and triumphed in the end by sitting down “at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Thirdly, the writer in verse 3 expresses the attitude we should have while running our race. “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.” Consider means “to reckon, compare, think over.” We are to meditate upon, and occupy our minds with the Lord Jesus Christ through the study of God’s word and prayer so that our spirits and minds will be calmed and our hearts encouraged.
May we claim the grace of God to persevere and remember we are never alone. God is with us every mile of the way to strengthen and encourage us.
Reprinted and used with love and continued prayers by ~ Jean Eaker
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