A short walk into a terrifically important 3 verses. Hi and welcome. Join me as I meander through this short bit of Scripture. Even I was surprised by what He brought to light today.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
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.
Doesn’t that Therefore make you curious as to what it follows? Or, what I mean is, what comes before it? Well, Hebrews 11 is what many people will call “The Hall of Faith” in fact the NIV entitles it “Faith In Action.” A delightful read for testing the memory, the Old Testament memory to the New. But we’re focusing today on these three verses from what chapter 11:39-40 conclude: Therefore.
Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by all those listed in chapter 11 and many more besides, this great cloud of witnesses, let us…
What hinders you? Apparently it’s not just our prayers that can be hindered, it’s us. But prayer is essential. So maybe that’s what he’s saying without using the words “prayer” or “alert” or “stand firm” or even “vigilance.”
Keep yourself from falling into sin by maintaining vigilance. Dress every day in His armor and Stand Firm. Be alert. After all, even the writer of Hebrews knows that sin easily entangles. It’s not hard to be entangled. So stay firm, be vigilant and alert. Then what?
Run. Not literally, this is a run to Jesus kind of run, the one you do by prayer. Run with perseverance. Perseverance is continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition, according to the dictionary. …….. Slow down.
Continuing to pray is continued effort
to achieve the ultimate prize of a relationship,
– despite difficulties – the wish to sleep, distractions,
overwhelm or even entertainment
– despite failure –
– despite the fact that some days you might forget, keep at it.
– despite opposition, spiritual or even the noise around you.
Run with Perseverance.
Pray with perseverance.
Keep at it.
2Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love
and Christ’s perseverance.
Your job is to pray. He will direct your heart into God’s love and His perseverance will work in you. You will not have to do it all on your own.
I had no idea when I sat down to write on this that is where He would lead. Yet here we are.
And how exactly do you think we Fix our Eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith? Prayer. That’s why we have to pray. To fix our eyes on Him, despite everything around us, everything we can see or hear or even feel. Focus. Pray with perseverance and His perseverance will assist you.
See what He did for us, and consider Him who endured such opposition, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
This is Holy Week. This is the week we celebrate what He did for us as the entire body of believers. Sunday is coming. Soon we will celebrate His Resurrection. Soon He will Return.
Pray like your life depends on it, because it just might.
Hold onto and grow your faith.