Staying the Course

You can’t catch your breath. You feel weak, and you just want to lie down and give up. If life is a race, you’re in last place and the finish line is miles away. Should you even try to keep going? Many people who’ve gone before have felt the same way, and yet somehow they have persevered—not just waiting for time to pass—but moving forward, even when the specific outcome was unknown. Noah spent years building the ark before the waters began to rise. Abraham left his home when he didn’t know where he was going. Moses led the Israelites around the desert for forty years and didn’t even get to go into the Promised Land. These guys weren’t perfect. They messed up, but they also stuck with it. What was their secret? Faith in the God who keeps His promises. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others knew there was more to their stories than what they could see in front of them. They knew God was bringing about His good kingdom purposes through everything they faced (Romans 8:28). And, if our faith is in Jesus, we’re part of the same story. Our trust is in Jesus, the God who is victorious over sin and death and will one day return to make all things new (Colossians 2:9-15; Revelation 21:1-5). But, in the meantime, God doesn’t just leave us to persevere in difficult circumstances by ourselves. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to “run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus, the One who calls us, has run the race, finished it, and is with us. Therefore, we can persevere in the strength He has given us. • Mary Rozendal • What kinds of situations in life make you feel overwhelmed and like giving up? • What steps can you take to remind yourself that Jesus is with you and empowers you to finish the race? I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Hebrews 11:1-12:3