Hebrews 12:1-2 "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, (2) 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."
Chapter 11 ended with these words in verse 40, "God having provided some
better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
How can we make them perfect? Be assured, their faith was a perfect
faith in that the ground of their confidence was no other than the Lord God
Almighty. But we have been blessed by receiving the promise upon which they
placed their faith but did not fully see. What promise have you and I
received? As we look back on those dear saints of God in the Old
Testament, we can see their actions through the finished work of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ. We see them as imperfect people who placed their
confidence in the perfect God whose love is so deep that He gave His only
begotten Son.
We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. If there is any doubt of
that, re-read the 11th chapter. If there is any doubt of that great cloud of
witnesses, look around and see people who, today, are walking by faith. We are
absolutely surrounded by people who may not have been cast into a furnace or
thrown into a den of lions or stood tall against a giant. They may not have had
to lead millions of people through a wilderness or build a boat to prepare for
a flood that others deemed unlikely to happen. But we all have our giants of
opposition in life that we have to fight. We all have to make decisions each
day that affect ourselves and those around us. We have fiery trials, as
the Apostle Peter mentioned, through which we must walk.
How do we survive? How do we get through each day? The writer of Hebrews tells
us to keep our eyes on Jesus. Look to Jesus who gave us our faith and is the
object of our faith. We go back to chapter four to see the blessing of keeping
our eyes upon the Lord. "For we have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) This verse tells us that
Jesus understands the weight of the world that we must endure. He understands
the pressure of everyday life. He understands when our emotions are flooded
with grief or anxiety or concern for our families. He understands because not
only has He been there, He is presently with us in each situation and
circumstance of our lives. He "endured the cross" and He has promised
to give us mercy and grace to help us endure our crosses. Trust Him. Trust His
perfect love for you. He will see you through.