Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
WHO ARE THESE WITNESSES? These are they who have been washed in the blood, God's anointed, His prophets, His priests, His Kings, and those in whose faith rest in God and have witnessed on His behalf. For if you read throughout the 11th chapter of Hebrews, wherein lies the roll call of the faithful and you will find that this is the thread that binds them all together...FAITH IN GOD!
Now that we know this, LET US (who of like precious faith) lay aside every problem and sin that so easily beset us, trouble us, harass us, but most of all which takes away our joy and our peace. This word let means to permit, to allow or to cause to happen. Do you know that Satan cannot stop a child of God from entering into heaven for our salvation is sure, but he can definitely disturb our joy and peace in our daily walk with the LORD. How? By making us doubt God's promises and even God Himself!
BUT...
1 Peter 5:5-7 tells us that
"...Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with
humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:
Casting all of your care upon Him; for He cares for you."
There comes a time in all of our lives as Christians that we must get off our high horses of pride and ride the lowly mules of humility.
There comes a time that we must realize that I cannot do it on my on but must put my trust and faith in God while I run the race. No
matter how good you are and how much you train there will come a time during this Christian walk that you shall tire, but Philippians 4:13 tells us that "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me." That same verse in the Amplified Bible reads "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."
I don't know about you, but I can shout today on this verse alone and the realization of the power and strength that is mine in CHRIST!!!
Finally, let us have patience while we run this race, realizing that
all of our faith and hope is in Jesus who is the Author and Finisher,
the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, of our faith.
Why did Jesus find joy in enduring the cross? Well, He came to this
old earth to do the Father's will. All that He did was to please the
Father. At the cross He fulfilled the work that God the Father had
sent Him to do. He satisfied God's justice for the sins of His people
and restored His honor that was lost during the fall of man.
His REWARD is a place of honor, a place of power, the RIGHT hand of the throne of God. And since Christ is rewarded, we who stand in Him shall also share in His reward!
So as we go through this day and every day, let us not get tied down by the problems of this world, but trust God to deliver us through those times in our lives. God has given us the witness of His written Word (BIBLE) and His living Word (JESUS) that we might have hope while we run this race.
Have a Blessed Day...Be PRAYERFUL and THANKFUL for all things!!!
Edward Price