Hebrews 12 - 1.30.25
S – Hebrews 12:1 - 3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
O – Our previous Hebrews chapter shows us many examples of faith in action. Those people are our great cloud of witnesses. They have already gone before us, endured much and came through victorious. They should be a constant encouragement to us to know we don’t struggle alone, and we are not the first to have these struggles. Like a runner who trains for the race, who gives up those heavy meals and sweets, and pushes their bodies out of their comfort zones in order to achieve their desired goals, we too, have to be disciplined and get rid of some “stuff!” We NEED self-discipline.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 - 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
A – We will suffer things here on earth but Jesus suffered the very worst of it so we wouldn’t have to. Suffering is just the training ground for Christian maturity. God shapes and molds us through our earthly suffering as we squirm under pressure. There are several versus that describe God as a skilled silversmith who refines and purifies his people.
Malachi 3:3 - He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.
We create much of our own suffering through our sin which can hold us back. But there are also things that aren’t necessarily sin and may be merely hindrances that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us. We must get rid of those as well.
Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder us and something else that may not. Is there a weight in your life you must lay aside? (Blueletterbible.com)
P – Lord, as Levi just so clearly painted us a picture last Sunday of paving the way for repentance, would you help each of us to know what things you want us to turn a 180 on and keep walking?! Help us to lay those little sins, big sins, and even the hindrances down which may not even be sinful but are keeping us from walking with you and witnessing to others in our full capacity! You want so much more for us and I pray we would lay those things down that we think are fun or that we can’t live without. And would you show us how much better our lives can be when we do that! May my life be an acceptable sacrifice to you Lord! In Jesus’ name!
- Crystal Flory
