“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be
wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Heb 12:1-4, 15.
Consider not the alternatives. “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they
would have had opportunity to return.” Heb.11:15. Put another way; to run your race
successfully you should have only one option and that is the race God has assigned to
you. You cannot be tempted with what you do not put your mind to. On the other hand,
what you give attention to you will get many opportunities to yield to. This will be more
apparent when you face trials in the race that God has given you. God promised
Abraham to make his seed as numerous as the sand on the sea shore. It took 25 years
before Abraham had Isaac. God promised Abraham that He will give him and his seed
the land of Canaan. However, throughout his life time in Canaan Abraham was living in
tents. Despite these Abraham and Sarah did not consider the land, people and things
they left in order to obey God and come to Canaan. If they had thought of these, they
would have had many opportunities to abandon his God given race and return to his
original homeland. Apostol Paul was another person that walked in this secret to
running a successful race. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things
which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus.” Phil.3:13-14. In the race God has called you to run there will be trials because
the devil does not want you to succeed. If you will finish your race well and obtain the
prize you must be ready to burn the bridge behind you so that you will not be tempted to
return back to what God has asked you to leave. Despite the challenges and the
apparent attractions of alternatives you must settle it in your heart that God’s will is your
wealthy place.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Love and forgiveness are freely given but trust is earned.