Running the Race
Chuck and Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the 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 12:1-3).
We have watched together as God, through faithful men and women, accomplished His own transcendent and eternal purposes of redemption. The “scorch marks” in each believer’s life forever marked him or her, as though with a branding iron, as men and women learning to depend upon and wholly trust in God. These are not stories of “good people” but of a good and gracious God—and of their great faith in Him. Today they are a “great cloud of witnesses,” urging us onward and encouraging us to remain faithful. We, too, can persevere in Him because we know He did not fail them, and He will not fail us.
So put aside all that hinders. Examine carefully and prayerfully your own life, your heart of hearts. Identify that which distracts you from your calling as a child of God—and get rid of it. Are there places or people who draw you back, who tempt you to worship someone or something other than God? Refuse to give them space in your life. Are you impatient, bitter, mean-spirited, judgmental, lazy, dishonest? Repent of these sins and put them behind you. Scripture teaches us that even if our own eyes or limbs cause us to stray, we would be better off without them than to risk losing our way and so betray the Lord of Life.
The author of Hebrews closes his sweeping account of faith—both God’s own faithfulness and the faith of those who chose to follow hard after Him—with the very object and foundation of our faith: the Lord Jesus Christ. It is as though the writer had said, “Now, in light of what you have just heard, run the course God has marked out for you by keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1–3). In other words, now that you know what faith looks like, what faith provides, and what faith costs—go out in the grace and power of God and live it. Live a life of faith.
By Faith…
In the days of grief and doubt, after our son, Mark, was taken from us, it seemed as though an ugly, pitch-black darkness had somehow descended upon us. Where was God? Why had this happened to us? In our anguish, we clung to God’s sure promise that He would go before us and level the mountains, break down the gates of bronze, cut through the bars of iron, and give us “the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places” so that we would know that He is the Lord, the God of Israel, the One who summons us by name (Isaiah 45:2–3).
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
When we review the years since Mark’s death, we realize every means of comfort and healing God has applied to our family can be traced back to the covenant promises made and kept in the unfolding history of the church as recorded in Hebrews 11. At the hospital, minutes after our son’s death, even though we were shaken, confused, and hurting, we sensed, in a fleeting moment of spiritual clarity, that God would use this—even this—for good, for the building up of His kingdom. Because of the eternal promises of the covenant, we knew God would not waste the darkness, that it had some greater purpose and meaning for Him. Somehow His light of hope would shine through this ordeal, and others would experience Christ as a result of it.
God promised His everlasting presence in His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samson, and Rahab; with us, with you. Though our emotions sometimes accuse God of forsaking and abandoning us, we know because of that covenant, we continue to be safely in His grip.
And because of the covenant, we know God also desires for us to walk humbly before Him and share His compassion with a broken world. The way home is very often dark and sad, and uncertain. But God is there, and He is greater than the darkness. In Him, truly, the darkness is not so dark, the shadows not quite so threatening as, along the way, we discover “treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places.” God’s treasures of faith, the examples, and the comfort of His people light our way. As we travel onward, we also draw more deeply upon our Father’s love and, empowered by that love; we help others traveling the road with us. Together, we ask God to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and to show us how to build His kingdom. Each task brings us a little closer to our true home, heaven.
Dear brother or sister, just as the patriarchs passed on the promises of God to each succeeding generation, we also affirm to you, through our own sorrows and joys and difficult days, that God is faithful—He is faithful! Do not grow weary. Do not lose heart. By faith, keep on in your journey. Consider Him who endured so much for us, and be encouraged. The lights of His great city can even now be seen just ahead, just beyond the mountains, just a little farther on. Do not give up now. A few more steps, my friend, just a few more steps—and you’ll be home.
May this be our prayer:
Strong Son of God, Immortal Love, Whom we, that have not seen Thy face, By faith, and faith alone, embrace, Believing where we cannot prove. We have but faith: we cannot know,
For knowledge is of things we see; And yet we trust it comes from Thee, A beam in darkness: let it grow. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, In Memoriam
I hope these devotionals will whet your appetite and encourage you to dig deep into Hebrews 11 on your own. They are adapted with permission from P&R Publishing. P&R is offering Treasures of Faith for $3.00 each! And the Leader’s Guide for $2.00.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Saturday, 17 June 2023.
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