Consider the Saints
August 21-22
Consider the Saints
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
It seems to me that the Believers’ life is pretty simple really! It’s all summed up in our verse for today (Romans 12:1), and Hebrews 12:1, which says ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.’
They’re easy to find and to remember – Romans 12:1, and Hebrews 12:1. They’re about offering ourselves, and about persevering. That’s our task, as believers, as Christians, and as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The dictionary defines perseverance as ‘steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, or a state, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement’. In those moments when you feel that this world has dished out all that you can take, consider the faith of the saints who are sitting in the heavens, looking down and cheering you on. They have gone before and know what it means to just put one foot in front of the other.
And that’s what God calls us to do. To get out of bed every morning, and put one foot in front of the other, even when the way seems so tough. He does the transforming, He does the changing and He brings us to our destination. And He does it with joy, which He pours into our hearts as we open ourselves to Him. After all, He’s done it all. We know that. He made the full and perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world, dying on the cross of Calvary. Our part is to submit to Him, to His leading, guiding and molding; allowing Him to transform us day by day as we walk with Him – and not giving up, even when we may feel like doing so.
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, help me this day to persevere; to put one foot in front of the other, to not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to look to You and You only. Help me to take my eyes off this world and allow You to be Lord of my life. Amen.