Don’t Lose Heart
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reflection
When I was learning to ride a motorcycle, the instructor gave our class some life-saving advice. When approaching a curve, especially a hairpin curve, do not focus on the road in front of you. Instead, fix your eyes on where you want to end up; the bike will naturally follow. This physical principle has a spiritual application that begs the question, “Where do you want to end up?”
The “great cloud of witnesses” (verse 1) in today’s reading refers to the Old Testament saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 who looked beyond their current situation and trusted God for their destiny. Each of them bore witness to God’s faithfulness, even when they had no idea if they would see God’s promises fulfilled in their lifetime:
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth (Hebrews 11:13 NIV).
They set their faces like a flint on eternity in heaven ahead of the promised Messiah. They knew where they wanted to end up and let neither persecution nor death distract their focus from God’s word.
Perhaps you are in a season where you are not sure how things will play out or where you will end up. Don’t lose heart! Fix your eyes on Jesus and trust that His answers and His timing are perfect for your circumstances.
Action Steps
Fixing our eyes on Jesus will help us stay focused and not grow weary (verse 3), but verse 1 also tells us to “throw off everything that hinders” and to get rid of “the sin that so easily entangles.” Are there some things in your life that are hindering your faith walk? Do you feel entangled by a particular sin? Do not lose heart! Bring those concerns to Jesus and ask Him for help.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your promises of eternal life through Jesus Christ and for help in times of need on this side of heaven. Give me strength to cut out the things in my life that are distracting me from fully following You. Deliver me from sin that makes me weary and burdened. My life is in Your hands. I trust Your wisdom and Your plan for my future. Amen.
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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reflection
When I was learning to ride a motorcycle, the instructor gave our class some life-saving advice. When approaching a curve, especially a hairpin curve, do not focus on the road in front of you. Instead, fix your eyes on where you want to end up; the bike will naturally follow. This physical principle has a spiritual application that begs the question, “Where do you want to end up?”
The “great cloud of witnesses” (verse 1) in today’s reading refers to the Old Testament saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 who looked beyond their current situation and trusted God for their destiny. Each of them bore witness to God’s faithfulness, even when they had no idea if they would see God’s promises fulfilled in their lifetime:
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth (Hebrews 11:13 NIV).
They set their faces like a flint on eternity in heaven ahead of the promised Messiah. They knew where they wanted to end up and let neither persecution nor death distract their focus from God’s word.
Perhaps you are in a season where you are not sure how things will play out or where you will end up. Don’t lose heart! Fix your eyes on Jesus and trust that His answers and His timing are perfect for your circumstances.
Action Steps
Fixing our eyes on Jesus will help us stay focused and not grow weary (verse 3), but verse 1 also tells us to “throw off everything that hinders” and to get rid of “the sin that so easily entangles.” Are there some things in your life that are hindering your faith walk? Do you feel entangled by a particular sin? Do not lose heart! Bring those concerns to Jesus and ask Him for help.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your promises of eternal life through Jesus Christ and for help in times of need on this side of heaven. Give me strength to cut out the things in my life that are distracting me from fully following You. Deliver me from sin that makes me weary and burdened. My life is in Your hands. I trust Your wisdom and Your plan for my future. Amen.
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