Cloud of Witnesses

https://odb.org/MY/2022/01/17/brave-your-storm

This picture given by the writer of Hebrews (believed to be Paul due to the writing style although he was not credited for it) in verse 1 chapter 1 is a strong encouragement for us to persevere on with our faith. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses cheering us on as we run the race of faith that is marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. We may feel we are alone as we run the race but the reality is that there is a cloud of witnesses, akin to the thousands in a stadium cheering us on to finish the race. Every runner has his or her own race to run, every runner has his or her own finish line. We are not competing with anyone, but we run in our own lanes, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. If our burden is heavy, we pray for Jesus to help us carry it, for His yoke is light. If we face storms and squalls, we ask Jesus to calm them down like He did in the lake with the disciples. Whatever happens, we don’t get off our lane, we don’t drop out of the race. We keep on running, walk if we have to. Ask God to strengthen our feeble legs and knees but we keep on going.

Know also that there is no condemnation in Christ as He had made us clean, as white and even whiter than snow. Leave our past behind. The cloud of witnesses only see us running the race and they are cheering us on. They are not armchair critics picking on our every fault as they know that we can never be perfect here on earth. Our old self, our flesh needs to be crucified daily. But it is still part of us. Don’t give up and keep on running although we are not perfect, although we have not fully obtained the character of Christ. As long as we allow Christ to transform us daily, as long as we do as His Word says, as long as we are fulfilling His plans and purposes for our lives – we are on track, we are running the race. The devil will try to deceive us to slow us down and make us give up, telling us it is too difficult, too tough. Just look at what the world offers. The temptations of the world and the desires of our flesh – the devil will use to distract and hinder our race. He will try his best to get us to cease running, to give up and just turn back to the world and our flesh. But we will not be distracted or deceived as our gaze is heavenward towards Jesus, our focus and motivation is our Lord, the Lamb of God that was crucified and resurrected and had already defeated the sting of sin.

Let us all be encouraged to persevere on in our walk of faith. We are not alone. There is indeed a cloud of witnesses! God the Father, Jesus our Lord and the Holy Spirit will spare no effort to make sure we continue on the race. All the resources in heaven are at our disposal. Race on, push on and finish the race, my dear brothers and sisters! Never give up!