Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 12:1-2.

 

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2.

 

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Many football players want to play in the larger stadiums.  They also want to be seen on TV.  They love the electric environment of so many people cheering for them.  

 

By faith, we know that we too “have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us”.  “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”  Hebrews 12:22-24. 

 

By faith, we know that they are cheering for us.  “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”  Romans 8:19.

 

So, with that knowledge, as a runner in a race wears the lightest clothes and shoes, “let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”.

 

We don’t know exactly who are the witnesses in that “so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us”.

                                        

Maybe, Abel is watching us.

Maybe, Enoch is watching us.

Maybe, Noah is watching us.

Maybe, Abraham is watching us.

Maybe, Sarah is watching us.

Maybe, Isaac is watching us.

Maybe, Jacob is watching us.

Maybe, Moses is watching us.

Maybe, Rahab is watching us.

Maybe, Gideon is watching us.

Maybe, Barak is watching us.

Maybe, Samson is watching us.

Maybe, Jephthah is watching us.

Maybe, David is watching us.

Maybe, Samuel is watching us.               

I do think that they all are watching us due to the immediate proximity of today’s Scripture to Hebrews Chapter 11 in which all these names are found in the Hall of Fame of Faith and due to the use of the word “Therefore” as in “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us”. 

But, in any event, we know for certain that we have a coach who is watching us and coaching us and interceding for us.  Let us run, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”.  “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”   1 John 2:1  “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:25

In conclusion, this is an electric environment.  We have “so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us”.  So, with goose bumps and hairs standing straight up and joy swelling up in our hearts, “let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”.