
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let
us… run with endurance the race that is set before us.
_HEBREWS 12:1_
Anybody remember Derek Raymond? His is not a household name, but few could
forget the injured runner in the Barcelona Olympics who was helped around
the track by his father as he struggled to finish the race. No medals are
given for bravery and love, but if they were, Derek Raymond and his father
would have won the gold. The writer of Hebrews evokes just this sort of
imagery when he describes the great “cloud of witnesses” that surrounds the
Christian as he strives to finish the race of life. Who are these witnesses?
They’re those believers who have gone before us, having completed the race.
They’re heavenly witnesses. Abel is there, saying, “Nothing but the blood.
You can make it.” Moses, staff in hand, is saying, “You may feel cornered,
but God’s power will see you through impossible situations.” Gideon is
saying, “You may be outnumbered, but keep running, stay in your lane.”
Samson is saying, “Even if you’ve been caught in sin and scarred, God can
still use you. Keep on.” David is saying, “Murder…adultery…God’s seen it
all before. Seek His face again, and run your race.” When we go to an
athletic event today, we see 22 men on the field, surrounded by 70,000
armchair athletes who desperately need exercise. Not these witnesses.
They’re the real thing, not plastic saints. They’ve run the race the same
way we will…by grace. And they’ re cheering us home.
Devotional taken from Everywhere I Go by Dr. Ed Young.
Posted by Jym
Apr 12, 2011