The Race of Endurance

June 2, 2009

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. Hebrews 12:1

God has called us out of darkness and into this wonderful life (1 Peter 2:9). The Christian life is one of victory and supernatural strength. God wants us to succeed and to win the race He’s set before us. “Run in such a way that you may win” (1 Corinthians 9:24b).

You came to see a race today. To see someone win . . . But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe your dinner’s burnt. Maybe you haven’t got a job. So who am I to say, “Believe, have faith,” in the face of life’s realities? . . . I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, “Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek Me, you shall ever surely find Me.” If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race. –Eric Liddell, “Chariots of Fire”

We serve a God Who fed Elijah during times of famine; Who first gave the power of the Holy Spirit to the early church, and those people revolutionized the world. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We can glory in tribulation because we have the answer that “in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Your life is not over. The future is more flexible than some have tried to tell you. Get out of a fatalistic attitude and call out to God. Remember God’s faithfulness and speak out what the Word says about your life. The God who rescued people in the Bible is the same God who wants to help you in your situation today.

Finish the Race!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.