Yesterday’s devotion spoke of the need to pray with confidence. Today’s devotion also speaks of the need to run our race with confidence and not to jump out of the race. We need to run with endurance, for the race is not given to the swift but to those who endure to the end. This is a marathon: a long and tedious race with detours, roadblocks, and setbacks along the way. Consequently, we must be disciplined so that we will not allow distractions to take our minds off the prize that is set before us. The scripture lesson for today is found in Hebrews 12:1 and speaks of how we are protected in the race.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

In this deep and moving passage, the writer calls upon God’s people to run their race with their eyes stayed on Jesus. He indicates the need to let go of every weight that seeks to slow us down. He emphasizes that sin can easily trip us up. Always keep your eyes on Jesus, the Champion, who initiates and perfects our faith. He fully knows that when you take your eyes off Jesus, you will drop out of the race. He wants us to hold true to our faith in the One who initiated the faith within us so that we might experience the joy awaiting us. In this chapter, he also calls upon people not to make light of the Lord’s discipline when He corrects us. In the race, we will be disciplined and corrected, for our own ultimate gain. Prayerfully you are committed to the long journey ahead and you know that there is a prize waiting for if you finish and cross the goal line.