Day 7

January 14

Jane Ann Simon

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Have you ever been to a large sporting event or a music concert? The crowd cheers like crazy when the players come onto the field or stage. I imagine that must be what it is like in heaven when we come to a place of accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  …And the crowd (of the heavenly host) goes wild!

This heavenly crowd is on our side and rooting us on, from the moment we surrender our old lives for the new one that Christ offers. These witnesses know that beginning the new life, Jesus offers, has a learning curve!  

For someone new to a relationship with Jesus, that might mean stopping old habits, perhaps changing the company we keep, or discovering a new way to “be” in the world. For maturing believers, God never stops searching our hearts and bringing us new understanding. Often, He digs deeper into our hearts than He did in our early days, purging deeply layered thoughts and patterns.  

We can’t live in the world without it hindering our walk with Christ, from time to time. Sin is ever present, and temptations never go away. The good news is that we have a Savior who did the impossible! He lived a life free of sin!  

Hebrews 12:2 says that “for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross”. Our Savior loves us enough to have had joy in going to the cross– just so that He could have a relationship with us. Amazing! 

Did you know that we get a new beginning every day? Every single morning, we have the opportunity to sit at the feet of our Lord and receive renewal. In fact, if we do stumble in sin, we can offer a prayer of confession and He offers an instant new start. We can do this whenever we have need, and God welcomes us. He does this because of the righteousness that we now have due to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. What a mighty God we serve!  

I hear the heavenly cloud of witnesses cheering for us… do you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for my new life in Christ! Thank You for offering me daily renewal as I seek to walk with You. Thank You that You offer me forgiveness when I slip, and after confession, my relationship with You is restored immediately!  Thank You, Jesus for enduring the cross so that I could have access to Heaven one day. Until then, I am comforted and guided by Your Holy Spirit. I praise You and Thank You for that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.