Going the Distance (Part 2)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.—Hebrews 12:1-2

Welcome brothers, to this new week of Freedom Fighters. Last Monday I introduced our theme and verse for 2014, and today I want to start unpacking the verse with what God is teaching me.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses: some commentators believe that the “cloud of witnesses” refers to saints in heaven who have already completed the race. Others, like Dr. Warren Wiersbe suggests that they could be people that are living now that get to observe how you and I are running the race.

I would like to tag onto Wiersbe’s interpretation and suggest that these witness could be the men and women that God has placed in our lives by His divine grace, men and women who have been through the good and the bad and life, and stand ready to cheer us on.

I am thankful for the rich heritage that I had growing up at Fellowship Church in Philadelphia. As a kid/teen, we don’t fully appreciate growing up the godly men and women that God places in our lives. We tend to think we have all the answers and don’t need anyone’s advice or help.

I can think of dozens of these “faithful heroes” growing up, who walked faithfully with the Lord. Some of them went through intense trials and came out the other side victoriously. Some of them had lived horrible lives before coming to Christ.

These are the men and women that I think about when I read this verse. The heroes in my life that with the example of their lives declared: God is always faithful to his Word, trusting in Him is worth it, and you can do it. You can run the race and finish well. We are here cheering you on.

Most of those heroes are with Jesus and just about everyone finished well. The cloud of those heroes are shrinking as more and more transition to glory. So for my age group (yeah, the ones with the AARP cards!), we now can be the cheerleaders to the generations coming up through the ranks. We can bolding declare to them:

1. God is always faithful to His Word.
2. Trusting God is worth it.
3. You can run the race and finish well = victoriously.

We do that first of all by being living examples of living the victorious Christian life. And then coming alongside to cheer the next generations on.

Who were the heroes God placed in your life as you were growing up? Who are the young men in your life right now that you can cheer on? I’d love to hear from you.

Going the distance with Jesus,

Dr. Bill Welte
President/CEO

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 19-21

Quote of the day: What really matters is what happens in us, not to us.

Rev. James W. Kennedy

Verse to Memorize: The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7