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.

Hebrews 12:1

Did you saunter, even a little, through the lives of those Old Testament heroes of Hebrews 11 yesterday? Sauntering is not only for information; it also is preparation. And then comes the race.

How quickly the worries of today weigh us down, distracting us from the race that God has set out for us. If you were running in the local 10K you would not be wearing your training weights. Likewise throw off what distracts you: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).  

How easily we can slip into outright sin and its entanglements. Tie on your godly truths securely; or like your dangling shoelaces, the ways of the world will trip you up. Sir Walter Scott's quote may possibly encompass all the devil desires from us: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Deception could be the root of all evil. The serpent in the garden used that ploy, and look at the sin that entangled us all.

And so I thank God for providing us with a glimpse of the reverent fear in the lives of the ancients. Look around you with your spiritual eyes. You are surrounded by today’s great men and women of faith, encouraging you in your walk with the Lord. Or should I say the race—the pace is fast and furious at times.

Key is that the course is marked out for you. The Word of God has set the boundary lines. Your mentors are cheering you on with their godly wisdom. Your friends in the Lord run along with you, helping establish the tempo.

Run with perseverance. You can do it—up the hills, down into the valleys, along the straight. Rest assured, any of those knots that try to trip you up will be untangled by the hands of Jesus.

Nancy P

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted.