March 27, 2017
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Training For Faith’s Race

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Opening Prayer

Loving Lord, I ask that the Holy Spirit will enable me to understand Your Word without distortion.

Read Hebrews 12:1–13

[1] 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, [2] 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. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. [4] In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, [6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” [7] Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? [8] If you are not disciplined-and everyone undergoes discipline-then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! [10] They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. [12] Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. [13] “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

The imagery of athletics illustrating the Christian life is found in several places in the New Testament. The emphasis is always on training wisely, not trying harder.

Having pointed to a whole string of faith-filled characters from the past in chapter 11, the writer now redirects our gaze to Christ (2). He is the finest example of what faith and obedience to the Father’s will achieves. As fellow-runners in that race, we must keep our gaze firmly fixed on him. Running a race is a powerful image of the Christian life. To compete effectively we need not only to keep our focus on winning but also to clear out anything that holds us back, even down to the tiniest stone in our shoes. Some suggest that the Christian’s race is a marathon rather than a sprint, but it is both—at different times. It also intersperses seasons of intense struggle and perseverance with times of rest (Heb. 4:9,10).

Jesus faced other obstacles in his race, such as fierce opposition from sinful men. At times during more than 45 years of following Christ I have turned to these verses to remind myself that in my struggle against evil I have not yet resisted to the point of shedding my blood, no matter how tough the going seems to get! Jesus had, and so offers us an example that should encourage us in our perseverance (3).

Running in the race of life involves training as well as commitment. The discipline that training requires can seem unkind and hard to bear. Joni Eareckson Tada said, “When it comes to His discipline, He only has my best interest at heart.” If you fear that your harsh circumstances are a sign that God has forsaken you, remember that God only disciplines those who are his much-loved children (6) and that your situation may actually be a sign that you truly belong to him.

Apply

In what way can you say, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psa. 119:71)?

Closing prayer

Lord, as I run the race of life for You, help me to keep my eyes on Jesus as my example.

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