Run The Race: Strength
Wednesday, February 21
Run The Race: Strength
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
Imagine yourself standing at the starting line of a race, with a grandstand filled with those who have walked the path of faith before you. You see Abraham, who trusted God’s promises against all odds. You see Moses, who led God’s people through the wilderness with unwavering faith. You see David, who faced giants with nothing, but a sling and a heart devoted to God. And you see countless others—ordinary men and women who lived extraordinary lives of faith.
You see, in life’s journey, we are not alone. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—individuals who have gone before us, paving the way with their faith, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to God. These witnesses are not merely spectators; they are our support system, they are a part of our foundation, they are cheering us on as we navigate the challenges and triumphs of our own race.
As we run our race, we can draw strength and inspiration from these witnesses. Their stories remind us that God is faithful, and His promises endure through every trial and tribulation. When we feel weary, we can look to their example and find renewed courage to press on. When we face obstacles, we can draw upon their faith to overcome.
But the great cloud of witnesses is not just a source of inspiration; it is also a call to action. Just as they ran their race with perseverance, so too are we called to run ours. We are urged to throw off everything that hinders us—every sin, every doubt, every fear—and to run with endurance the race marked out for us.
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, thank You for the great cloud of witnesses who surround us, inspiring us with their faith and encouraging us to run our race with perseverance. Help us to throw off everything that hinders us and to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith. Give us strength when we are weary, courage when we face obstacles, and faith to trust in Your promises. May we run our race with endurance, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.