“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)
 
During the month of October, I’d like to share with you a devotional thought each week from a different section of these verses.
 
I’m not a runner.  To me, there doesn’t seem to be much point in it, especially when you are just running round and round in circles on a track.  I don’t mind running if I’m actually running to get somewhere.  I’d much prefer to run when I’m reaching a destination, rather than just running for the sake of running.
 
As we run the race of faith we are running towards a finish, a goal, a destination.  We aren’t just running in circles or doing laps.  There is a greater reason why we run.
 
Jesus shows us where are running towards.  He has already reached the destination.  Jesus’ road leads to the cross, but it also lead to the empty tomb and eventually the clouds of heaven, where He is seated at God’s right hand.
 
That’s where you are headed, too.  Your road will lead through suffering and death.  Just like Jesus died, one day you, too, will die.  But just as Jesus rose, you, too, will rise from the dead.  Just as Jesus is now at God’s right hand in glory, so you, too, will be with God the Father in His glorious presence.
 
And that’s what gives you joy in your race of faith.  Jesus didn’t enjoy suffering and death on the cross, but He had joy because He knew where His race would end.
 
It’s hard for you to find joy sometimes.  It’s hard to have joy when you are away from your family and friends, when you are living in a strange or new place, when you are dealing with illness and injuries, pain and suffering.
 
But Jesus gives you joy, even now, because He has shown you where your journey will end.  No matter how bad things seem here and now, think of the final destination, the glories of God’s presence, and that will give you joy, no matter how hard it seems to run the race.
 
Triune God, You have made me and You have saved me.  You have promised to bring me to the joys of heaven.  Help me to experience that joy here and now, as I look forward to receiving all that You have promised me, for You live and reign, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)
 
During the month of October, I’d like to share with you a devotional thought each week from a different section of these verses.
 
It’s easy to get distracted as you run a race.  Sometime the course isn’t clear, and you may even get lost.  When I was a Boy Scout, I did several orienteering courses (finding your way with a map and compass).  After you take your bearing, you need to find a fixed point directly in line with your compass reading, and go towards it, without losing your focus.
 
As Christians, we fix our eyes on Jesus and run towards Him, because He has already shown us the way.  He is the “founder” of our faith.  This word can also mean “pioneer” or “trailblazer.”  He’s the one who goes first and shows us the way.  The way is not easy.  It was not an easy road for Jesus as He went to the cross.  There are times that we don’t want to look at Jesus, because we don’t like to see His suffering and know that we will have to suffer, too, if we follow Him.
 
Jesus is also the perfecter, the finisher of our faith.  This is the same word that Jesus spoke while He was dying, “It is finished.”  Jesus is the one who brings us to the finish line, the goal that we are pressing towards.  Even though the road leads to suffering, it will lead through suffering to the joy of everlasting life.
 
As you are running, don’t get distracted by looking at yourself.  As you look to yourself you will only see your weakness and your faults.  You might get so wrapped up in yourself that you even stop running and decide to quit the race.
 
As you are running, don’t get distracted by other people.  There are many people out there who will lead you astray and off course.
 
As you are running, fix your eyes on Jesus.  Listen to Him and meditate on His word.  He has gone before you and He will lead you to the finish line, the goal of your faith.
 
O Holy Spirit, strengthen my faith to always fix my eyes on Jesus.  Keep me from being distracted and led astray, and lead me in the path that leads to eternal life, for You live and reign with the Father and the Son, one God, now and forever.  Amen

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)
 
During the month of October, I’d like to share with you a devotional thought each week from a different section of these verses.
 
A lot of preparation goes into running a race.  Runners practice regularly, watch their diet, and make sure that they have the proper equipment for the race.  You would not want to race with any extra weight or impediment to the race.
 
The author of Hebrews calls us to do two things in preparation for the race.  First, we lay aside every weight.  Second, we lay aside sin.  The two are similar, but not exactly the same.
 
First, there are many things that weigh us down in life, and hold us back with regard to our faith.  You could be weighed down by worry.  You could be weighed down by grief.  You could be weighed down by pain.  You could be weighed down by a need for perfection.
 
Imagine trying to run a race carrying a heavy weight on your back.  You’re not going to get very far very fast.  Jesus comes to take our burdens off your back.  He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Jesus takes all these things from you and carries them Himself.
 
Second, there are things that don’t just weigh you down, but that also hold you back, and these are your sins.  The text in Hebrews can also be translated, “let us also lay aside every sin which entangles us.”
 
Imagine trying to run with your shoelaces tied together.  That’s what its like if we run the race of faith while holding on to our sin.  That sin needs to be laid aside, given to Jesus in confession, so that He will forgive you.
 
As you confess your sins and receive forgiveness, Jesus sets you free to run the race unburdened and untangled.  Confession and forgiveness is how Jesus prepares you to run.
 
Thank You, Jesus for dying for all my sins.  Give me faith to cast all my burdens on You, confess my sins to You, and receive your gift of freedom; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)
 
During the month of October, I will share with you a devotional thought each week from a different section of these verses.
 
It’s hard to run a race all alone.  As you are running, you start to worry about how you’re doing.  You might feel overwhelmed by the road ahead. You might feel tired and want to give up.
 
It’s much easier to run if you have someone to run alongside of you, or if there are people lining the road to cheer you on.  It can give you an extra spark of energy to run hard and to finish strong.
 
One blessing of the race of faith is that we don’t run alone.  We have Jesus there with us through His Holy Spirit, and we also have this “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us.
 
Hebrews 12 follows the great “Faith Chapter” of Hebrews 11.  If you haven’t read it lately, look it up and give it a read.  It lists all the great examples of faith from the Old Testament, from Abel and Abraham to Moses and David.  We have all these great stories of faith and trust in God to inspire us along the way.
 
You are blessed to have both the stories and examples of faith from the Old and New Testaments, but also the people of faith who have personally touched your life as well.  Think for a minute about all the people that God has used to encourage you and to bless you as you have run the race of faith.  There may have been parent or grandparent who taught you about Jesus at an early stage and served as a role model for you.  You may have had a special pastor or teacher who pushed you to run a little harder.  You’ve probably had a friend or two who has been there to pray with you and speak God’s word to you at a difficult time in your life.
 
All of these saints are part of the great cloud of witnesses who surround us as we run the race of Faith.  These saints are still with us even after they have died.  Not only do their stories and memories live on, but also their spirits are with Christ, even as their bodies await the resurrection of the dead on the last day.  The cloud of witnesses surrounds us as you are with Christ since they are with Him and will live in Him forever. 
 
Thank you, Lord, for the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds me.  Use them to encourage and support me in my life of faith, and use me to encourage and support others.  Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.