Day of Praise

Wed, 03/23/16, "Day of Praise"

Hebrews 12:1c - "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Hey, you! Yes, you, the one who's discouraged. The one who's ready to give up and about to throw in the towel. Don't do it. These words are for you! To help you keep going.

I remember a couple years ago, and I distinctly remember it was April 15. Ya know, the income tax filing deadline. I went by the Post Office after our nightly, Holy Week worship to get a mailing box for Easter. But no sooner had I gone in, then there was this stream of people who came in and asked me, "Can I get this postmarked for April 15?" They, of course, had an envelope with their tax return inside. I told them that they'd need to go to the downtown branch, which is only fifteen minutes away. Surprisingly, all but one of them said, "Aaaaaa, I don't care if I get the penalty." And then they just put their tax returns in the mail slot. In other words, they had done all the work to get their taxes in on time, and just fifteen minutes from their goal, they quit. They quit. So close. But they quit.

This is what today's Bible verse is about. God tells us to keep running the race of faith. Run with endurance. Don't quit. Whatever's going on in your life, the Lord is working on it and walking with you. And therefore you are always so close to seeing God's encouragement with your situation and maybe even God's resolution that brings your problem to an end.

So don't just "mail it in." Hang in there. Keep going. The Lord is with you to be your strength so that you can "run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1c)

Praise God!