Help In Not Giving Into Discouragement
Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
The author of Hebrews has just completed the chapter regarding the men and women who pleased God with their faith. Many of these heroes of faith are named. We know of Abel, Abraham, Noah, and Moses. Many more make the named list. But there is another unnamed group of people who endured some severe hardship by their faith in God. These were the people who were mocked, whipped, stoned, and imprisoned. Some were actually sawn in two. But because of their faith, they stood firm.
The author then encourages the believers to lay aside the things that weigh them down, especially the sins that trip them up, and with endurance run the race God called them to. In light of all other believers have faced, putting away sins and weights was not too much to ask.
Then the author instructs the believers to look to Jesus, the champion, who is the One who starts and perfects our faith. He is the example who faced down the cross without flinching. Who was not moved by the shame of the cross and considered it a small thing. Who did all these difficult things because of the joy that was waiting for Him. The joy of seeing God’s plan of salvation made available for all people. The joy of reuniting God with His creation. And the joy of once again being with the Fatherin the place of highest honor.
The believers were reminded to think about all that Jesus went through—the hostility and pain from sinners. The end result of considering Jesus and His situation is that they would not get too weary of dealing with the hassle of being identified with Christ and just give up. And the author reminded the people that they had not shed blood in resisting sin.
Considering all the witnesses did, and all that Jesus did, the author infers that their situation is not as dire. So don’t give up and walk away from Christ.
Application
Considering the people who have gone before us and endured great problems and pressures. Considering Jesus and what He went through, two things come to mind.
It’s not too much for Jesus to ask us to put away the sins and things that make it hard to run our race for Him. And we are to keep looking to Jesus so that we don’t just get tired and give up on our race.
We have reasons to put away the things that trip us up. And we have reasons to not become too discouraged and ineffective. We have those who have gone before us, and Jesus, who is the One that our faith starts with, rests on, and is being strengthened by. We have what we need to run our race for God.
Prayer
Lord, I am looking to You as my example and the One who strengthens my faith. I refuse to lose and give up.