Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 11:29-12:2 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. Verse 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. Verse 31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
Verse 32And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets- Verse 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, Verse 34quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Verse 35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Verse 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. Verse 37They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented- Verse 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Verse 39Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, Verse 40since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.
Chapter 12Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, Verse 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Devotion
I didn’t start running until my thirties. For many years, I ran by myself, until accepting an invitation from a friend, I found a new joy in running with other people. The time went so fast as we chatted. (Well initially it was more like the others told stories and I listened, catching most of what they were saying over my extremely loud breathing.) Being with these dear friends gave me the perseverance to challenge myself to new distances. And it was an extra blessing to run with people of faith, celebrating the joys of births and grieving together over diseases and death.
Surrounded by these runners, my prayers of longing for a best friend were answered ten fold.
In the same way I have found support to be surrounded by people of faith in a church community. It is so uplifting to not feel alone, but rather to be surrounded by a living cloud of witnesses to Jesus.
Prayer
Jesus, continue to give us the perseverance to show your love for all in our actions. Help us not to be afraid, but to go out with joy and love especially in this time of divisiveness and hate. Amen.
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