Daily Devotional

October 28th, 2022
by Pastor Gene Beck

Running Life’s Race

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

As we go through life, everyone’s journey is different. God has set before us, as it were a race to run. This race will be difficult at times. The temptation is to look at the race others are running and feel that their course is easy. We would rather run their race, but we don’t see the whole course they will run. We need to remember that God is the one who has marked out the race planned for us. The course may seem easy at times but also very difficult at others, making it a struggle to keep going.

There are many things in life that can hinder us from running effectively and can easily entangle us. They tend to trip us up and keep us from running our race well. The hinderances are not usually big things but are often little things that we hang on to, weighing us down and taking our eyes off the goal. In order to run well, we need to set these things aside and fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the pioneer, the One who blazes the trail in front of us. Jesus experiences all the hardships of our course in front of us. As we follow Him, He matures our faith. We grow to trust Him more as He takes us through every hardship and struggle. Jesus is our example to follow. He has endured the shame, suffering and temporary rejection of the Father to pay the penalty for all sin. He was able to do this because of the joy that was set before Him. Jesus completed the Father’s will, rose from the dead and is exalted at the Father’s right hand. When life doesn’t make sense and we face the rough places, we need to keep our focus on Christ and follow His example of endurance.

1. What areas of unbelief entangle you and hinder you from effectively running the race of life?
2. How is Christ’s example an encouragement to you?
3. What steps can you take this week to keep from giving up?
4. How can you apply these truths to your family life?

Prayer: “Lord when the things of life seem so difficult, help me to keep my eyes on Christ and to follow His example.”

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