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29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 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. 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. (Hebrews 11:29-12:2 NRSV)
A tremendous Tuesday, Friend! Make it a day of prayer filled with power and passion for Jesus! Lift high His name with those who seek healing, new lives, new opportunities, new relationships, and new ministry venues. Make it a day you spend with Jesus so that others may come to know Him.
As a child I ran everywhere I could. I loved to run but I also loved to eat and thus my body never really reflected a discipline life of exercise. Oh well. I enjoyed running and riding my bike. And years later in Houston as I tried out for the school's football team I was told I needed to run a mile under seven minutes. Upon hearing it it scared me a bit, but as I thought about it and talked to others interested in the team as well, we decided that if we could keep a certain pace we would make it. The pace we determined would be one, two, three, four, and repeat, one, two, three, four. I started to have faith in myself, that with God's help, I could make the team. And I did.
The writer of Hebrews continues with his masterpiece on faith. It's an encouraging who'w who and what's up of what things faith made possible in the Old Testament. The people of Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry land; the Egyptians were not so lucky. Faith saw impenetrable walls fall; and women of questionable morals had her life turned around to be included in the lineage of Jesus! And on and on reads the list of what could happen, happen because of faith. Even to the prophets who endured suffering—each story testifies that faith is not passive. It moves forward, even when the path is costly.
By the time we reach chapter 12, the imagery shifts to a race. We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses”—those who have already finished their course. Their example is meant to inspire, but not to distract. The focus is clear: fix your eyes on Jesus, and run the race at God's pace.
The race of faith requires both endurance and shedding. Each of us can and should run that race. Endurance is needed because the road is long and often uphill. And as we run, we need to shed those uncessary burdens be they sins, fears, or distractions because they will weigh us down and will slow us down if we cling to them. The call is to travel light, unentangled, and wholly focused on Christ.
Jesus is not only the one who begins our faith (“pioneer”) but also the one who brings it to completion (“perfecter”). He ran His own race with joy, even when it meant the agony of the cross, because He knew what lay beyond—the redemption of His people and the glory of God.
The challenge for us is to run with that same focus. The invitation is to remember that we do not run alone. The witnesses cheer us on, Christ runs before us, and His Spirit strengthens us every step of the way.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Thank You for the cloud of witnesses whose lives inspire us to endure. Help us to lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely. Strengthen our hearts to run with perseverance, eyes fixed on You, no matter the cost. May our lives bring glory to the Father as we follow Your path. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Run your race with endurance—eyes fixed on Jesus, heart free from all that would hold you back.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
