Skip to main content

RUN THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE AND GRACE – 03/20/19

By March 28, 2019Daily Devotionals

RUN THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE AND GRACE
March 20, 2019

Prayer:  Lord help us focus on the big picture, the Kingdom plan; but fix our eyes on Jesus as we run in His faithful footsteps.

Scripture: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV
In these verses, the writer of Hebrews encourages believers in Christ with the formula to run with energy, endurance and effectiveness. Following this advice we can go from encumbered to energetic, from entangled to enduring and from egotistical to effective.

You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, believers and nonbelievers. Angels are cheering for you, the Holy Spirit is in you waiting to empower you as you submit to Him and refuse to relent to this world and all that threatens to trip you up. You are prepared in prayer; your team stands with you ready to race with you and not against you. This is not a competition but a mission. You faithfully fix your eyes on Jesus, the One who was faithful before you and blazed the path for you to follow, knowing what He endured for you and the reward of finishing the race, you resolve not to lose heart, not to grow weary, but with supernatural strength, you will move at the speed of Christ. You are a disciplined disciple eager to learn and determined not to turn back. Are you ready? Are you set? What does it mean to you personally when you hear the words, “GO?” Share the life-changing message and mission this two-letter word means for your life. What habits, harboring feelings, or counterfeit hopes that entangle and encumber are you going to have to let go of?

If you are still scared to death of what is going to happen when God says, “Go” then I suggest you back up and read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. This chapter is known as the Biblical Hall of Faith. It clearly explains how this Hall of Heroes became the men and women we look to today as extraordinary examples in Christian history. How did they do it? “By faith!”

What is faith? Well we know that without it, it is impossible to please God. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. That means the only “sign” we ask for is directional. If we refuse to move until we get our “sign” that is not faith because now it has become something we see. Faith is drawn with a heart full of assurance of faith, without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. We move by the power and might, strength and wisdom, courage and endurance of the faithfulness of Jesus. We will not shrink back, sit down or give up, but rather persevere in the presence, power, provision, protection and promises of Almighty God.

Copyright Kathy Branzell.  Email [email protected]