Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ tells us what to do when we become weary. “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. 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. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

First, we are to remember that we are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses, other believers. Many have gone before us and lived lives of faith, they can be examples to us. We can find their stories in the Bible or believers around us today who have testimonies of miracle healings, how they were delivered from addiction, or restored from the enemy’s grasp.

 Next, we are to rip off everything that weighs heavy on us, get rid of it. If there is sin in your life, pray for forgiveness and do not return to the sin. Once sin has been eradicated from our lives, we can run with endurance the race God has set before us. God has a purpose for you; He created only one you. This is the race that He has for you, nobody else.

How do we run with endurance? By keeping our eyes on Jesus, He is our champion. Jesus initiated our faith, and He will never give up until He perfects our faith. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Jesus endured the cross and its shame because of His love for you and because He knew He was returning to heaven to be with the Father once He had endured the cross. Jesus is an example we can look toward as we grow weary because our love for Him and our knowledge that we are on our way to heaven can help us endure.

Lastly, when you feel weary – think of all the hostility Jesus endured from sinful people; “then you won’t become weary and give up.” Jesus was rejected by the very people He created and the very people He came to save. Jesus faced rejection by His closest circle of friends, the disciples. They all deserted Him and rejected Him during and after His arrest. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Thomas refused to believe Jesus had risen from the dead and Peter denied Him three times. Jesus was hurt, abandoned, betrayed, and abused by those closest to Him and those He came to save. To the point of death. Think of all that Jesus endured for you so that you can run the race that He has set out before you. Jesus is the Champion of your faith; He is there with you, running the race alongside of you and will never leave you.

Let’s pray. Thank You Jesus that You have set a race before each one of us. Thank You that we have a loving Champion, Who started the seed of faith in us and will perfect it. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen