Day 4: Bedrock of faith
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 (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Father, our God, by faith we dare enter into Your holy presence, believing Your word that without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). May we come before You today with pleasing faith, earnestly seeking You.
You have set before us the encouraging examples of faith through the ages—from Abel who brought God a better offering than Cain did—to those who laid down the transient, that they might gain the eternal (Hebrews Chapter 11). You call us, in view of their witness, and their example, to persevere through faith (Hebrews 12:1).
But You set before us the greatest example of all, our Lord Jesus Christ—the bedrock of our faith, who, For the joy set before Him... endured the cross, scorning its shame... (Hebrews 12:2). The cross, with not only its physical torture, but also the excruciating weight of all human sin, is the ultimate example of both suffering and victory.
Nothing we ever face could cause us to lose hope when we consider Him who endured such... and has now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. No wonder we are asked to fix our eyes on Jesus... so that [we] will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2-3).
Lord Jesus, You have marked out the race set for us with Your own hand. And You stripped Yourself to show us how to run. Help us to off throw off everything that hinders—all the weights and encumbrances of this life—and the sin that so easily entangles (Hebrews 12:1).
Teach us perseverance. Help us to run and not grow weary, You, who give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Renew our strength and bear us up on Your powerful eagles' wings (Isaiah 40:29,31).
We look to You, Jesus. You are the author—the pioneer of our faith. You are the perfecter —the finisher or Your faith. You are the foundation on which all is built, the Word on which all is sustained. Thank You, Lord!
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